We've all heard the saying, "You're only as old as you feel." But have you ever considered whether there's any truth to it? How you perceive your age may significantly impact your physiological aging process. People who see themselves as old can experience accelerated aging compared to those who see themselves as younger.[1]As we celebrate Healthy Aging Month, letβs take a closer look at the relationship between mental outlook and longevityβand the steps we can take to maintain positive perceptions of aging.
We've all heard the saying, "You're only as old as you feel." But have you ever considered whether there's any truth to it? How you perceive your age may significantly impact your physiological aging process. People who see themselves as old can experience accelerated aging compared to those who see themselves as younger.[1]As we celebrate Healthy Aging Month, letβs take a closer look at the relationship between mental outlook and longevityβand the steps we can take to maintain positive perceptions of aging.
01
What is mental health?
Before diving into the research, itβs essential to define mental health. Mental health is your ability to cope with everyday stressors, to believe in yourself and your capabilities, and to make meaningful connections with others.So, what does your perception of your age have to do with mental health? Perceiving yourself as older than you are can signal that you donβt believe as strongly in your abilities and no longer feel optimistic about your lifeβkey indicators of lower emotional well-being and self-esteem.
01
What is mental health?
Before diving into the research, itβs essential to define mental health. Mental health is your ability to cope with everyday stressors, to believe in yourself and your capabilities, and to make meaningful connections with others.So, what does your perception of your age have to do with mental health? Perceiving yourself as older than you are can signal that you donβt believe as strongly in your abilities and no longer feel optimistic about your lifeβkey indicators of lower emotional well-being and self-esteem.
02
What Defines Your Perception of Age?
To understand how your perception of aging impacts whatβs happening in your body, scientists have identified the four most important terms:
- Subjective age: Also called psychological age, subjective age answers the question, βHow old do you feel?β
- Chronological age: The time you have been alive.
- Age identity: The difference between subjective age and chronological age. People who feel much older will have a higher age identity, while people who feel much younger will have a lower age identity.
- Biological age: Biological age measures how well your body functions at the cellular level. When you compare your chronological age, subjective age, and biological age, you can better understand how you and your cells have aged.
02
What Defines Your Perception of Age?
To understand how your perception of aging impacts whatβs happening in your body, scientists have identified the four most important terms:
- Subjective age: Also called psychological age, subjective age answers the question, βHow old do you feel?β
- Chronological age: The time you have been alive.
- Age identity: The difference between subjective age and chronological age. People who feel much older will have a higher age identity, while people who feel much younger will have a lower age identity.
- Biological age: Biological age measures how well your body functions at the cellular level. When you compare your chronological age, subjective age, and biological age, you can better understand how you and your cells have aged.
03
Mental Health and Aging
When facing some of the more challenging aspects of aging, being told to maintain a positive, youthful mindset may seem insensitive and unrealistic. However, ongoing research in psychological aging has revealed that this might be sound advice.Studies have shown that your perception of aging may significantly impact your survival more than several influential factors, including gender, economic stability, loneliness, and functional health![2] One study even discovered that those who reported positive self-perceptions of the aging process lived an average of seven-and-a-half years longer than those who negatively viewed aging.[3]Individuals with an older psychological age also tend to have lower resilience to stress, which can further accelerate the physical aging process. The result is a self-fulfilling prophecy in which your negative perceptions of aging contribute to the onset of aging markers, ultimately accelerating the rate at which you age.[4]
03
Mental Health and Aging
When facing some of the more challenging aspects of aging, being told to maintain a positive, youthful mindset may seem insensitive and unrealistic. However, ongoing research in psychological aging has revealed that this might be sound advice.Studies have shown that your perception of aging may significantly impact your survival more than several influential factors, including gender, economic stability, loneliness, and functional health![2] One study even discovered that those who reported positive self-perceptions of the aging process lived an average of seven-and-a-half years longer than those who negatively viewed aging.[3]Individuals with an older psychological age also tend to have lower resilience to stress, which can further accelerate the physical aging process. The result is a self-fulfilling prophecy in which your negative perceptions of aging contribute to the onset of aging markers, ultimately accelerating the rate at which you age.[4]
04
What can you do?
Changing your mindset on aging may seem daunting. Depression, anxiety, and age-related cognitive decline can make it more challenging to maintain a positive perception of aging. The good news? There are plenty of small steps you can take to reframe your mindset and shift your relationship with aging in meaningful ways.
Understand Aging As Malleable
One of the first steps to embracing aging is understanding that aging is a malleable process. Aging can be both accelerated and slowed based on our daily habits. This means itβs possible to be in your 60s and have a biological age equivalent to someone in their 40s! Moreover, itβs never too late to start. Be patient with yourself by making small incremental changes that can reduce your biological age and decelerate your aging process. Incorporating small practices like balancing your diet and managing stress is just the beginning. You can read more about healthy aging practices hereto learn more about biohacking healthy aging organs of longevity!
04
What can you do?
Changing your mindset on aging may seem daunting. Depression, anxiety, and age-related cognitive decline can make it more challenging to maintain a positive perception of aging. The good news? There are plenty of small steps you can take to reframe your mindset and shift your relationship with aging in meaningful ways.
Understand Aging As Malleable
One of the first steps to embracing aging is understanding that aging is a malleable process. Aging can be both accelerated and slowed based on our daily habits. This means itβs possible to be in your 60s and have a biological age equivalent to someone in their 40s! Moreover, itβs never too late to start. Be patient with yourself by making small incremental changes that can reduce your biological age and decelerate your aging process. Incorporating small practices like balancing your diet and managing stress is just the beginning. You can read more about healthy aging practices hereto learn more about biohacking healthy aging organs of longevity!
Sleep Plenty To Improve Resilience
Consistently getting plenty of sleep has been found to boost physical and mental well-being, including your ability to view your life optimistically. If you've ever gone without sufficient rest, you know how much exhaustion can decrease your ability to regulate your emotional stress response, further accelerating aging.[5] Studies have shown that people who get inadequate sleep have more difficulty repairing skin damage than those who get enough sleep at night.[6, 7] Something as simple as turning the lights off an hour earlier or establishing a sleep routine can have a cascading beneficial effect on the physical aging process and your mental perceptions of aging.
Sleep Plenty To Improve Resilience
Consistently getting plenty of sleep has been found to boost physical and mental well-being, including your ability to view your life optimistically. If you've ever gone without sufficient rest, you know how much exhaustion can decrease your ability to regulate your emotional stress response, further accelerating aging.[5] Studies have shown that people who get inadequate sleep have more difficulty repairing skin damage than those who get enough sleep at night.[6, 7] Something as simple as turning the lights off an hour earlier or establishing a sleep routine can have a cascading beneficial effect on the physical aging process and your mental perceptions of aging.
Tap Into Community
Seeking encouragement from others and actively communicating with your loved ones can do wonders for maintaining a younger subjective age. Building acceptance around aging is a lot easier when you have friends and family members who also embrace your journey and see your evolution as a beautiful process.
Tap Into Community
Seeking encouragement from others and actively communicating with your loved ones can do wonders for maintaining a younger subjective age. Building acceptance around aging is a lot easier when you have friends and family members who also embrace your journey and see your evolution as a beautiful process.
Take Care of Your Skin
Your skin is your bodyβs first line of defense, so it is more than just cosmetic. It's one of the keys to overall health and longevity. When your skin looks healthy, it often indicates good internal health. However, increased stress levels can contribute to skin issues such as dryness or acne. Establishing a regular skin care routine protects from damage and helps maintain healthy skin. One key component of any skin care regime is UV protection, as exposure to the sun's harmful rays can lead to sun damage and premature aging. But why should your sunscreen stop at just sun protection? OS-01 BODY SPF and OS-01 FACE SPF are broad-spectrum 30+ SPF and have been scientifically proven to prevent and reverse the effects of UV aging.[8]
Take Care of Your Skin
Your skin is your bodyβs first line of defense, so it is more than just cosmetic. It's one of the keys to overall health and longevity. When your skin looks healthy, it often indicates good internal health. However, increased stress levels can contribute to skin issues such as dryness or acne. Establishing a regular skin care routine protects from damage and helps maintain healthy skin. One key component of any skin care regime is UV protection, as exposure to the sun's harmful rays can lead to sun damage and premature aging. But why should your sunscreen stop at just sun protection? OS-01 BODY SPF and OS-01 FACE SPF are broad-spectrum 30+ SPF and have been scientifically proven to prevent and reverse the effects of UV aging.[8]
Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindful activities like gratitude and journaling can help improve mental health and boost happiness. Creating a mindfulness routine is a great place to start. Including meditation, mindful breathing, or gratitude journaling in your daily routine can help on your journey to improve your mental well-being.[9]
Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindful activities like gratitude and journaling can help improve mental health and boost happiness. Creating a mindfulness routine is a great place to start. Including meditation, mindful breathing, or gratitude journaling in your daily routine can help on your journey to improve your mental well-being.[9]
Cultivate a Positive Self-Image
Cultivating a positive self-image involves acknowledging and embracing the changes that come with age while focusing on your strengths and achievements. Begin by practicing kindness toward yourself. Instead of beating yourself up for failure, setbacks, or even aging itself, setting realistic, attainable goals that motivate you and provide a sense of achievement will help nurture a positive self-view and encourage you to celebrate all your milestones.
Cultivate a Positive Self-Image
Cultivating a positive self-image involves acknowledging and embracing the changes that come with age while focusing on your strengths and achievements. Begin by practicing kindness toward yourself. Instead of beating yourself up for failure, setbacks, or even aging itself, setting realistic, attainable goals that motivate you and provide a sense of achievement will help nurture a positive self-view and encourage you to celebrate all your milestones.
Key Takeaways:
- Studies have shown that the younger you feel, the better your health outcomes.
- Mental health encompasses our emotional and social well-being and strongly connects to your psychological age.
- A lower psychological age is related to positive health outcomes, longevity, and a minimized stress response, contributing to better physical and emotional well-being.
- Adopting healthier practices can influence biological age, making you feel and function younger than your chronological age.
- Getting enough sleep helps maintain a youthful mindset and better emotional stress regulation.
- Staying connected with loved ones and seeking encouragement from others helps maintain a younger subjective age and promotes a positive outlook on aging.
- Healthy skin often indicates good internal health. Managing stress and establishing a consistent skincare routine, including UV protection, can contribute to physical and mental well-being.
- Meditation, journaling, and gratitude can improve mental health, boost happiness, and support a more positive perception of aging.
Key Takeaways:
- Studies have shown that the younger you feel, the better your health outcomes.
- Mental health encompasses our emotional and social well-being and strongly connects to your psychological age.
- A lower psychological age is related to positive health outcomes, longevity, and a minimized stress response, contributing to better physical and emotional well-being.
- Adopting healthier practices can influence biological age, making you feel and function younger than your chronological age.
- Getting enough sleep helps maintain a youthful mindset and better emotional stress regulation.
- Staying connected with loved ones and seeking encouragement from others helps maintain a younger subjective age and promotes a positive outlook on aging.
- Healthy skin often indicates good internal health. Managing stress and establishing a consistent skincare routine, including UV protection, can contribute to physical and mental well-being.
- Meditation, journaling, and gratitude can improve mental health, boost happiness, and support a more positive perception of aging.
Disclaimers
- This article was initially published in May 2023 and has been updated.
Disclaimers
- This article was initially published in May 2023 and has been updated.
References
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2788853
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-power-of-positive-thinking
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12150226/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3428505/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25266053/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6777699/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5240-sun-damage-protecting-yourself
- Based on data from clinical studies and/or lab studies conducted on human skin samples, 3D skin models, and skin cells in the OneSkin lab. Explore more at oneskin.co/claims
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3679190/
References
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2788853
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-power-of-positive-thinking
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12150226/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3428505/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25266053/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6777699/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5240-sun-damage-protecting-yourself
- Based on data from clinical studies and/or lab studies conducted on human skin samples, 3D skin models, and skin cells in the OneSkin lab. Explore more at oneskin.co/claims
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3679190/
