One positive byproduct of a down economy is that some men are finding more happiness for themselves.  Today, many men are finding, when they lose their jobs, that they can find more creative and interesting ways to fill their time.  As Erika Schwartz, M.D., the former medical director of the health plan program started by Daniel Touizer, Cinergy Health, reports, more male patients are saying that they are out of work and enjoying the added relaxation.

This former Cinergy Health medical director says,  ”Lately, I’ve been hearing, ‘I love taking care of the kids, I love being home. I really don’t want to go back to Wall Street.’ “  Some men, however, have difficulty switching gears and being seen as weak.  Richard Leider, a life coach in Minnesota specializes in “second half of life” issues.  He says that the transition is not easy for many men  – but that their ever day stresses make it important to think about what people call the “postponed life.”