That picture on top there does not reflect me as an individual. I’m a positive and happy fellow and very far from being known as a grumpy old man…But some days! I don’t feel like being positive or happy…Hey, I’m human!
Why is my husband always grumpy?
As a grumpy old man myself (at times), I can tell you firsthand that there are plenty of reasons why men over 40 might become more grumpy, unhappy, and even depressed. I’m not a typical grumpy old man, as I’m pretty outgoing and happy, but there are times in the week when I’m just not ‘right.’
My wife calls me ‘GOM’ an Acronym for Grumpy Old Man! What? Me? While some of these reasons might be specific to each individual, there are also some common themes that seem to apply to many guys who suffer from the grumpy old man syndrome. We are all different so these might or might not touch a nerve with you.
So, Why Do Men Over 40 Become More Grumpy?
1-Hormonal Changes
One of the biggest factors that can contribute to irritable male syndrome for men over 40 is hormonal changes. As old age comes in, the man’s testosterone levels begin to decline, which can lead to a range of physical and emotional changes, including irritability, fatigue, decreased motivation, and prolonged bad mood…
It’s no joke! Everyone has heard of the dreaded MENOPAUSE in women… But how about the ‘man menopause?’… The name is Andropause. And that bastard creeps up on you while you least expect it! It hits men in their 40s and I personally think it’s something that is not talked about as much as it should just like Men Self-Care and Stress in Fathers.
This hormonal change can also lead to depression. This culprit is a common problem among middle-aged men. After reading about this in the past year, it seems that it’s a problem that’s not widely talked about either…
Wow! I mean, really? I guess it comes down to what kind of lifestyle we have and how we view life. Scary~~
2-Health Issues
Another reason why older adults might become more grumpy is that they’re dealing with a range of health issues that can be frustrating and stressful.
I’m not a doctor, so I’m not going to give medical advice here. But, as you should know, as we age, our bodies become more susceptible to a range of health problems, including chronic pain, arthritis, and heart disease, to name just a few. Don’t get me started with my joint pain and lower back… I’ll keep that for another article.
Dealing with these health issues can be a full-time job, and it can be tough to maintain a positive attitude when you’re constantly in pain or feeling unwell. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression, which can manifest as grumpiness or irritability. GOM!!
3-Financial Stress
I follow many Facebook groups of fathers and it seems that this one is also a popular topic. Many dads over 40 have some type of financial stress. As we get older, we may find ourselves facing more debt, job insecurity, or a small(or near nothing)retirement fund. These money worries can be incredibly stressful, and they can take a toll on our mental health and make us irritable.
Read this article on CNBC. It’ll show you that even thinking or seeing some type of numbers in your bank account or bills and give you anxiety. Couple this with the ridiculous inflation that has us by the throat, and you can guess why dads(and moms) fret over money!
4-Relationship Issues
This is a touchy one. Relationship issues can also actively give you grumpy old man status. Remember ‘Al Bundy?’…
As we age, our relationships with our spouses, children, and friends can become more complicated, and we may find ourselves struggling to communicate effectively or resolve conflicts.
These relationship issues can be incredibly frustrating, and they can lead to feelings of loneliness, anger, and resentment. When we’re not feeling connected to the people we love, it can be tough to maintain a positive outlook on life.
5-Lack of Exercise
I’ve been preaching this since the early 2000s… exercise and wake up early! I also wrote about articles about it here and I truly believe that exercise is a cure-all! But I’m sometimes still the grumpy old man walking around, but that’s not because of lack of exercise. It’s because of overthinking stuff.
One of the reasons that some older men are grumpy is a lack of exercise. As we get older and ‘wiser’, our bodies naturally start to lose muscle mass and bone density, which can make it harder to stay active and healthy. Get you’re ass at the gym early in the morning.
So, if you’re feeling grumpy or down, it might be worth taking a closer look at your exercise routine…if you have one. Even small changes, like taking a walk around the block or doing some gentle stretching, can make a drastic change in your overall health, well-being, and aging process.
I follow a Yoga dude on YouTube. He’s easy to follow along with and well worth taking a few minutes a day to stretch out…
6-Not Being as Sociable with Friends
In our younger years, we are socially active but as we reach our 40s and beyond, those times seem to greatly diminish. Get out! Go have fun… I know, it’s not the ’90s anymore! Or even the 2000s! It’s hard to catch up with old buds from way back because of family obligations.
As we ‘mature’, our social networks can shrink, and we may find ourselves spending more time alone or with just a few close friends or just with the wifey and kids.
This lack of social connection can be tough on many guys, We are humans! Yes! When we don’t have regular social contact, we can start to feel isolated, lonely, and even depressed.
So, if you’re feeling like it’s been a long time since you’ve met the boys or feel like it’s about ‘that’ time, it might be worth reaching out to your buddies and trying to schedule more time to chill out together and catch a game or grab some beers. Â It could also be as easy as meeting a close friend for coffee once a week or joining a local club or organization that aligns with your interests.
At the very least meet and say hi during lunch breaks. Meeting with friends or making a social circle can greatly ease stress. How about going to a local comedy club to watch a stand-up act? This will help your body language and your sense of humor…
So the next time you find yourself being a grumpy old man, remember that it doesn’t have to be a given. By being proactive and taking care of yourself, you can enjoy your later years with a positive attitude and a renewed sense of purpose. It’s the most important thing in this article…Self-Care
Final Good News!
I’ve given some ideas on why the hell we can be grumpy, unhappy, or depressed as dads. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to these problems, there are different ways that we can use to help our mental and physical health. The most important in all of these is to get your body moving! Exercise, or at least walk daily. You’ll see drastic behavioral changes in your attitude, energy levels, and overall view of life.
Exercise people! Spending time doing some exercise is the best way to calm down common issues that you might be going through.
Not sure the right way to go about it? Find a new approach by learning a new skill or a hobby. Hobbies could be one of the powerful tools that could lead you on a different route to a happier and less grumpy path.
At the end of the day, being grumpy old men is no fun for anyone – least of all the grumpy old man himself.
**Do you have Adrenal Fatigue symptoms? Please read my article to see…
++If you’re suffering from serious issues that would be a good reason to contact your doctor for a more detailed view of what’s going on.
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