Most of my boomer male buddies all reflect fondly on their youth. And the reasons for that outside of having lots of energy and freedom are pretty simple. “No financial pressures, no life-and-death career stress, no ‘can we talk?’ sessions,” they’re quick to say.
Youth is Not Intertwined with Happiness
Yet I’m here to tell you that the idea of youth being exclusively intertwined with happiness is not true. According to Happify.com, a website whose mission is to turn activities into lasting happiness, people are certainly happy when they are under 18. But then, true enough, that happiness dwindles as the bill-paying years enter a boomer male’s life. (This, along with divorce, I know well.) However, the site’s ten-years worth of research reveals that popular opinion gets thumped.
That age of our youngest of boomer males right now, 53, is apparently the lowest point of happiness. But guess what, happiness actually accelerates as a man approaches 60. And then here’s the even bigger shocker…it continues to go up until the age of 85! Which was the oldest age of the study.
Positive People Live 7.5 Years Longer
Another revealing finding that came out of the study, is that “positive” people live 7 1/2 years long than those not positive. Just take a look at the site’s complete infographic.
A conclusion of the study seems to support the idea that men over 55 find more contentment through the simple things of life: family, health and home. That’s not to mention the ability to be more active in their faith, non-profits and community organizations.
So we at boomermale.com think we aren’t all going to become a Walter Matthau or Jack Lemmon as we age. To the contrary as there’s plenty to be optimistic about.
Live well.
