Feeling Youthful? You May Be in for a Longer Life

People who consider themselves young for their age may be onto something: A recent study suggests that feeling younger than your real age is associated with a longer life. Using data gathered in a long-term study on aging, researchers compared reports from participants concerning how old they felt with their death rate over a period of eight years. The scientists found that participants who said they felt three or more years younger than their chronological age were less likely to die than were those who reported feeling their age or older than their actual age, according to a paper published online Dec. 15, 2014 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

In contrast with a 14 percent death rate among participants who felt more youthful, those who felt their age experienced a 19 percent death rate, and those who felt older than their age experienced a 25 per-cent death rate, often from cardiovascular disease. After controlling for factors such as chronic health problems, disability, and depression, researchers found that participants who reported feeling older than their age faced a 41 percent greater risk of death than did those who felt younger. The study authors suggested that feelings of optimism associated with youthfulness might encourage a sense of control over issues such as diet, exercise, and stress reduction, making individuals more likely to take care of their overall health and enjoy an extended lifespan.

The post Feeling Youthful? You May Be in for a Longer Life appeared first on University Health News.

Read Original Article: Feeling Youthful? You May Be in for a Longer Life »

Powered by WPeMatico