How To Tap Into A Mindset That Will Keep You Energised, Healthy, And Strong

Age really is just a number. Science is finding that how old you feel may actually predict how long you’ll live, how happy you are, and your general state of health for the next two decades, says Jennifer Bellingtier, a postdoctoral psychology researcher at Friedrich Schiller University in Germany.

- Mirel Zaman

“That mental state is known as subjective age, and it reflects your perception of how well you’re growing older,” she says. “If you think you’re ageing poorly, you may be less motivated to exercise, eat well, or engage in other healthy behaviours.”

Subjective age is incredibly powerful. Studies show that adults who feel younger have fewer signs of brain ageing and better muscular, pulmonary, and metabolic functions compared with those who feel older.

Fortunately, perception of age is something you can easily control and change for the better. Start with these four techniques, which have been scientifically proved to help you stay young, inside and out.

ROLL WITH IT

Even minor irritations like a disagreement with a friend or an unexpected traffic jam can build up, leaving you irritable and exhausted – which in turn can make you feel older, research shows.