How old do you feel? Studies show that people who feel younger tend to live longer. So if you feel younger than your chronological age, you’re in good company! And if you don’t feel youthful and optimistic, there are many things you can do to lower your subjective age and improve your outlook on the future. To get started, take the quick quiz below and learn what your answers say about your age, your health, and your perspective on life.
How Old Do You Feel?
Source of Statistics: Midlife in the U.S. Institute on Aging
How would you describe your health?
- A: Excellent
- B: Very good
- C: Good
- D: Fair or poor
Most people who feel younger than their current age (61%) select A or B. They also report putting more effort into maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having fewer chronic health conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Adults who feel older are more likely to select C or D (72%), and they also report more difficulty with everyday activities like walking, bathing, dressing, and carrying groceries.
How often do you feel tired?
- A: Often or almost always
- B: Sometimes
- C: Never or rarely
I hope that you chose C, because most adults who feel younger than their age (55%) say that they very rarely feel unrested during the course of a day. On the other hand, nearly half (48%) of those who feel older than their age say that they often or almost always (A) feel unrested during the day. Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep! Rest provides energy, a key characteristic of the young and vibrant.
How often do you volunteer, attend religious services, and contact your friends?
A: Often
B: Sometimes
C: Rarely
Adults who feel younger than their age are more likely to have volunteered in the past year, attended religious services once a week, and contacted friends once a week. An active social life can boost your mood and increase your sense of self-worth. It is also important to maintain a good relationship with your family – one that’s based on love and support, not stress and strain.
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So how old do you feel? Although feeling young bodes well for your future, there are ways to lower your subjective age if you’re currently feeling a bit long in the tooth.
First, get more sleep. Go to bed earlier, or snooze a bit longer in the morning. Second, improve your overall health by eating a healthy diet, exercising daily, and keeping on top of medical appointments. Third, embrace an active social life by keeping in touch with your family, joining group activities and events, and spending time with friends. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to move into a senior living community (if you haven’t already) and embrace all the social opportunities it offers.
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? If so, be sure to check out Hearthside Senior Living Place, located in Bartlett, Tennessee. We would be happy to schedule a tour for you so that you can explore the community, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. For more information, please call 901-854-6590. We look forward to meeting you!