Men and Midlife: How to Avoid a Crisis

Every man goes through midlife, but only some men have a "crisis." Not every man experiences midlife the same way. A mix of factors can determine how you fare in midlife. These include your personality, life experiences and social and economic status.

A successful midlife depends on your:

• Ability to handle events. Gone are the carefree days of youth. Midlife may bring more stressors, but your age and experience have better equipped you to deal with them. Your confidence and perspective can prove invaluable to help you manage midlife upheavals.
• Outlook. If you're the type of guy who tends to see the glass half full rather than half empty, you've got a better chance for happiness at any age.
• Social network. Having good social relationships - strong ties with family, friends and colleagues - is key to your well-being. Take time to reconnect with important people in your life. These connections can serve and support you in many ways through midlife and beyond.
• Education. Having a higher level of education may give you the perspective to avoid turning a routine event into a full-blown crisis. You may be better able to view unfavorable conditions as "challenges" instead of insurmountable problems. As in other areas of life, common sense based on experience can be just as handy as a college degree. Either way, continue to keep your mind sharp. Find ways to keep learning and gaining knowledge throughout life.
• Experiences as a young adult. Your experiences as a young adult and how you dealt with them will help shape your success - or failure - at midlife. Job changes, moving or an early marriage or divorce can color your views or strengthen your resolve.
• Physical health. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can contribute to a healthier, more robust middle age. It can pay off if you maintain a healthy weight and don't smoke or abuse alcohol. The old saying, "You're as young as you feel" applies here. Feeling youthful and energetic can help you shrug off the middle age mindset.

Having a midlife crisis is not a fact of life. Midlife brings its own rich rewards. Work on getting your head and your health in the right place so you can enjoy life at every age.