Men would like us to think they are big strong creatures that don’t have a flicker of emotion, but we know that’s far from the truth. Anxiety in men, especially as they age is very common. Aging anxiety in men can arise from a variety of different things that can occur as they get older:
Impotence
It’s no surprise that performance can be a great source of anxiety for men as they age. This is naturally a sensitive subject and men can worry about embarrassing or humiliating themselves. A healthy diet and lifestyle is important here. Conditions such as obesity, hypertension, smoking, and high cholesterol – all of which are factors contributing to heart disease are also known to contribute to impotence.
Weakness
Losing physical strength is also high up on the list when it comes to aging anxiety in men. From around the age of 60, most people will notice a considerable decrease in muscle strength. This can mean loss of stability and also greater risk of falls. The good news is resistance training and a healthy diet can help protect muscle health.
Prostrate
After a man turns 50, he has a 50-60 percent chance of having a problem with his prostate. Beer, stress and cadmium (found in pollution and paritcularly cigarette smoking), among other factors can all contribute to an enlarged prostate.
Although there are obvious physical aspects that can be a source of aging anxiety in men, there are other factors that can cause worry on an emotional level.
Retirement
Retiring can make many people question their identity and worth. However, retirement is an ideal time to find new meaning and purpose in your life. Use it as a chance to travel or embrace those hobbies that you’ve previously put to the side over the years.
Cognitive decline
Cognitive decline and fearing you might not be as sharp as you once were can be a great concern for many. When it comes to cognitive health, keep yourself mentally active. Meditation, reading, doing the crossword – all of it helps to keep your memory sharp.
Many of us might also know someone affected by Alzheimer’s or Dementia and as we age such conditions can be of great concern. There is no surefire ways to prevent Alzheimer’s but a heart-healthy lifestyle may lower the risk.
Changing your attitude
A healthy diet, supplementation and an active lifestyle is essential to keep you at your peak. It’s never to late to start – and you’ll feel the differences once you do. Another important change we can make is redefine the concept of aging and turn it into a positive one. Aging doesn’t have to be about decline. Embrace it as a getting wiser and as getting time to do things you couldn’t do before. As cliched as it sounds, age is just a number and like cheese and wine, you too can get better and better.
