Feeling Younger Can Help You Live Longer and Healthier, Studies Show

Aging is a natural human process. And despite the fact that over time many of us are increasingly more afraid of blowing out the candles on the birthday cake, scientists have discovered that aging is all mental. It’s no longer just about a number or how we look in the mirror, but how we feel inside. Feeling younger brings health benefits with it and interestingly, it can help you live longer.

We at Bright Side wanted to discover the secret to living more fully and longer. So we looked at different studies to prove that it’s all about how you feel, and no matter your age, you can always stay young forever. Plus, we have some inspiration for you at the end.

What subjective age can say about you

Feeling younger or older can say a lot about someone’s personality. The age perceived by the individual rather than the actual number is known as “subjective age.” And according to psychologists Weiss and Lang, we embrace this mental age as a way of coping with the stress of aging.

Studies have shown that people with a lower subjective age are more extroverted and open to new experiences in contrast to the rest of the population. However, having a younger spirit is not synonymous with immaturity. People gain wisdom through life experiences, the difference being that they respond to situations from a different positive perspective and self-control.

By our thirties, we wish to be younger.

During adolescence, most of us have the desire to age faster. As the movie, 13 Going on 30, says, at 13 we want to be “30, flirty and thriving.” But the truth is that at 30, about 70% of us begin to lower our subjective age. Psychologist Anna Kornadt also found that we feel different in different aspects of our lives.

When it comes to topics like finances, which are stereotypically linked with a negative connotation, people tend to react as if they are younger as a way of distancing themselves from their actual age group. For example, saying you are 45 at the age of 50 could be a way of expressing more self-control and less concern about job performance.

This feeling of youth acts as self-defense, giving us, in turn, a more optimistic view of future plans as well as health benefits.

What your subjective age can predict about your health

The younger you feel, the more understanding you have of wellness. A study published by the American Psychological Association explains that the younger your subjective age, the lower your stress levels.

What can feeling 22 at 36 do for you? It can mean better cognitive functioning, less inflammation caused by stress, a lower risk of hospitalization because of an illness, and a longer life in contrast to those who feel older.

It can help to prevent depression.

We have discussed how stress levels decrease proportionally as subjective age decreases. And with that, it also seems to have a lower risk of depression.

The University of Montpellier tracked the data of more than 17,000 middle-aged and older people with different demographic factors. Most of the participants felt 8 years younger than their actual age. The rest of them who felt that they had aged faster, about 8 to 13 years more, had an 18%-25% greater risk of suffering from an illness or depression.

Mentally younger, physically stronger

You probably remember as a child how many hours you could last running around the house or playing games without getting tired. And as time went on, physical activities became somewhat tiresome. Another secret of subjective age is that it also predicts patterns of physical activity.

Feeling younger can result in even more enjoyment of physical activities, such as exercise, learning a new hobby, traveling, dancing, and moving around in general. You will have more time to enjoy everything that made you feel happy as a child.

People who feel younger can imagine a brighter future.

The body accomplishes what the mind believes, and the subjective aging mechanism can go both ways, as much as the person wishes. If you feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, or forgetful, there is a greater chance of feeling older and, therefore, in poorer health.

Bonus: 93 never looked so good!

Helen is a 93-year-old woman, better known as baddiewinkle on social media, and she is proof that maintaining a younger state of mind benefits people. Helen is not afraid to share her outgoing personality on Instagram, and all we can say is that she shines inside and out.

Being younger at heart can change your mindset and clear your doubts and fears about the future. Aging is something that we cannot stop, but at the same time, it’s a beautiful process that fills us with experiences and wisdom. Keeping a young soul will not only bring you multiple benefits, but it will make you enjoy this journey more as well.

Do you feel younger than your actual age? Share what activities make you feel younger and happier!