How old are you? Most people will answer that question according to the number of birthdays they’ve had.
But experts in aging talk as though everybody has two ages instead of just one. The obvious age is how old you are in years. That’s called your chronological age.
The other age is not how old you are, but how old you feel and function. That’s called your biological age.
A new study is confirming the fact that if you feel older than your colleagues, you might actually be older – at least biologically speaking.
And if you feel older than you are, you could end up in the hospital more.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that people who feel older than their peers are more likely to be hospitalized as they get older. This is regardless of their actual age, other environmental factors, or even their overall health. Here are the details.
Researchers examined a group of 10,406 men and women between the ages of 24 and 102 years. Then they asked them if they felt older than their chronological age. When they followed up on the group years later, they discovered that those who said they felt older than their age were significantly more likely to be hospitalized than the rest. This was true across all ages, both sexes, all races, and even when they took disease and depression into account.
The authors of the study concluded that individuals who perceive themselves as older than their chronological age are at an increased risk and should discuss this with their doctors. Of course, if you tell that to your doctor and your tests turn out to be normal, he’s pretty likely to either blow it off as excessive worry or put you on an antidepressant drug. So let me offer you this advice instead.
Get the basic examination and blood tests to ensure you aren’t sick. Then, if they’re normal, forget the doctor and read my book Bursting With Energy. It has helped thousands of people feel better simply by changing their lifestyle to a healthier and more natural one. It offers a comprehensive program that’s easy to use and effective, working for just about everybody.
Yours for better health,
Frank Shallenberger, MD