Women Over 50 Are in Their Prime and Happier Than Ever, According to Research

Here is an interesting fact: the number of “over 50” marriages is rising. Although it may seem strange, it is actually a good sign that women have a positive outlook about changing their lives in a happy, healthy way, as they age.

At Bright Side, we agree that age brings more wisdom, and interestingly, it also brings more happiness. Keep on reading to figure out why there’s hope for experiencing joy later in life. At the bonus part, you’ll find out how 2 famous women feel about aging.

There is something called a “midlife-low.”

There are several signs that indicate you may be experiencing a midlife crisis. Being unclear of your life’s direction, being dissatisfied with life in general, or being overwhelmed by chores are just a few of them. Although some may call it a “crisis,” in reality, it’s just a transition.

This life event usually happens around the age of 37 or above, and it makes both genders feel odd. While men tend to judge themselves and seek validation based on their possessions and achievements at work, women usually start to evaluate and question their performance as wives and mothers, and try to get the same validation through relationships.

A study suggests that happiness is “U-shaped” during our lives.

Curiously, it seems like happiness follows a U-shaped curve across a person’s life. Usually, they start as happy young adults and face the impending midlife crisis for about 2 decades. And then, things start to look up when they hit their 50s.

Luckily, women who are over 50 have never been happier.

At this age, they are free from the burden and worry of having a young family of their own, achieving higher ranks in their careers, and sacrificing pleasures for a comfortable life. That’s why women become happier in their 50s. When these young women were in their 20s, their expectations may have failed to become reality, resulting in a mid-life crisis.

According to studies, as stress decreases over time and disappointments are left behind, these women (now in their 50s) rediscover peace, as happiness flourishes along with new experiences and self-esteem. Just notice how becoming mature over time is so important for women to become more joyful and courageous.

This is excellent news for all of the women who are aging.

With the current state-of-the-art medicine, cosmetics, less taboo when it comes to finding love, and an established status in their workplace environment, there are plenty of reasons why women (and men) will live healthier, and most importantly long, happy lives. Among the possibilities, here are a few:

• More freedom: Now in possession of time, as their kids leave the nest, women have more time to focus on themselves and have more fun.
• Taking care of loved ones: For those women who embrace tradition, being supportive, like in the role of a grandmother, can also mean a happy, fulfilling life.
• Accepting the passage of time: As in embracing that there is no shame as their bodies transform and adjust to a more mature and intelligent mind.
• Taking new risks: As in finding passion in new businesses as an entrepreneur, leaving an unfulfilling marriage and finding another loved one, and even traveling.

This is a whole new generation of smart and driven professionals who are self-aware. Just take a look at how celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston are handling their lives and careers. After all, the golden years are called “golden” for a very special reason!

Bonus: What celebs think about aging

Sharon Stone

“I started to understand that I was going to go for being more like a European woman who got more beautiful with age and who could understand that women are more beautiful than girls because they know something.”

Salma Hayek

“You can hold your own at any age, you can dream at any age, you can be romantic at any age. We have the right to be loved for who we are at the place that we are. We’re not just here to make babies, we’re not just here to baby the man.”

Do you think you are happier in your 50s? In your opinion, what is the greatest trait during this season of life? What do you think will change by the time your “50th” birthday arrives?