Yo, Who Feels Like They're on Pace for Eternity? (A Study on Subjective Age and Lifespan)
- Written by Doris Schneyink
- 🕒Approx. 4 Min Read
Those who perceive themselves as younger than their actual age tend to live longer lives. - "Living Longer Is Linked to Feeling Younger Than Your Actual Age"
What's up, Herr Wettstein? When my mom needed to transition to a senior living facility at 83, she complained after a few days that the place was filled with old folks. Was this like her reality slipping away? Nah, man. It's pretty common for people to have a different sense of their age compared to their birthdate. So, your mom's reaction ain't exactly unusual.
- Life Span
- Fitness
- Health
Got the Scoop on Subjective Age:
Perceiving yourself as younger than your actual age, also known as a lower self-perceived age, could be a game-changer for how long you live and your overall life expectancy. Here's the lowdown:
The Impact on Longevity:
- Mental and Physical Health: Research shows that folks with a lower self-perceived age generally have better mental and physical health. This is because they usually have a more youthful mindset, which can help them avoid negative age-related stereotypes and maintain a positive vibe[3].
- Health Outcomes: Studies also indicate that individuals who think positively about aging, including those with a lower self-perceived age, tend to have better health outcomes. This means they'll deal better with physical decline and cognitive issues, which are crucial aspects of aging[2][4].
- Biological Clocks: There's evidence that self-perceived age is linked with certain biological age indicators. For example, it's been connected to brain-PAD (brain predicted age difference), suggesting that those with a younger self-perceived age might have a brain that looks younger than their real age[4]. Similarly, positive thoughts about aging have been associated with longer leucocyte telomeres, which are a sign of a more youthful biological state[4].
- Mortality Risk: The relationship between self-perceived age and mortality is kinda complicated, but studies suggest that individuals with a positive outlook on aging may have a lower risk of dying, possibly due to their ability to counteract the negative effects of age-related stereotypes on health[4].
Tldr: Having a lower self-perceived age can lead to better mental and physical health, improves health outcomes, and even impacts biological markers related to longevity. So, keep that youthful spirit going strong!
- The link between self-perceived age and longevity is intriguing, as research suggests that individuals who perceive themselves as younger than their actual age might have a lower risk of mortality, due to a youthful mindset and positive outlook on aging [4].
- Understanding the connection between self-perceived age, health, and life expectancy is crucial in the field of science and health-and-wellness, as it could lead to innovative strategies for promoting longevity and combating the effects of aging.
