Men who experience a midlife life crisis are most likely to buy a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, a new study has found.
Healthspan polled 1,000 men aged 40 and above found that 58% think they have gone through a midlife crisis, with it hitting around the age of 47.
One third of those went on a spending spree to try and boost their mood during the average two-year-long crisis, with a new gadget, a sports car and sex toys among the most common purchases. One respondent even admitted to buying a £1,800 albino python.
Missing spark
It also emerged that half of men felt they lost their spark for life while going through a midlife crisis, with 30% saying they had to make a lifestyle change to boost their energy levels once they reached middle age.
Researchers found the average man spends £2,106 during their midlife crisis. After a holiday, a new gadget came second in the list of top buys, followed by a sports car and designer clothes. Tattoos also made the list.
Understandably, these purchases didn’t always go down well with partners. Twenty-two per cent admitting their other half didn’t always know what they were spending. And more than one third said that it caused rows.
Where have all the good times gone?
One in five enen said they struggled to see the good in their relationships and family life during this time. While 48% felt their energy levels were lower than usual after reaching middle age. And 30% said they were trying to change their lifestyle to improve things.
Dr Meg Arroll, a psychologist for Healthspan, said: “Reaching midlife can act as a significant milestone for many men and is a time when some men become keenly aware of their own mortality. This can result in a profound sense of turmoil and confusion as life may not have turned out as envisaged (it rarely does).
However, this period of introspection doesn’t necessarily have to be negative. For some men, middle age can in fact be positive. It can lead to more time spent with family, health kicks and getting back to once loved hobbies.”
