Depression, Aging and Exercise

Posted by: Curt | Under: 40's/fit, 50's/fit, Diet and Weight Loss, General Fitness, Health, Ladies/fit, Seniors/fit, Spiritual/Emotional | (0) Comments

MSNBC has an article that examines depression and happiness in middle aged folks. Basically, there is a distinct pattern that develops as people enter their mid-life years and it isn’t good. They posit several valid possibilities for why this happens, but I’d like to throw one other out there- poor physical condition due to stress, diet and lack of exercise. As someone who just got a letter from AARP inviting me to join (oh, the pain), I agree that there is a trend toward depression as we get to this time of life, but I also think that diet and exercise can play a huge role in de-stressing our lives and making us happier. This works for all age groups and the earlier you start, the better off you will be later in life.

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The researchers analyzed data on depression, anxiety levels and general mental health and well-being taken from some 2 million people in 80 countries.

On average, they found, well-being bottoms out at about age 48 1/2 around the world. But those lows varied quite a bit, ranging from about age 36 in the United Kingdom to about age 66 in Portugal.

The average low point in the U.S. was 44 1/2, although researchers noted a suprising blip in their results: happiness among American men continued to fall until about age 53.

“It happens to men and women, to single and married people, to rich and poor, and to those with and without children,” Oswald said. “Nobody knows why we see this consistency.

One possibility may be that people realize they won’t achieve many of their aspirations at middle age, the researchers said.

…The consistent dip in well-being is likely sparked by the challenges of middle age, said Dr. Robert N. Butler, president of the International Longevity Center — USA, in Manhattan.  It’s the time when people pause to evaluate the crucial questions of their lives.

“Have you really succeeded? Is this really the right marriage? How are the children?” he said.

After about age 60, those questions may be resolved.

“The stormy part is over and you sort of come to terms,” he said.

The good news, according to the new study, is that if people make it to age 70 and are still physically fit, they are on average as happy and mentally healthy as a 20-year old.