What is perceived age?

Perceived age refers to how young or old someone feels both physically and mentally. Interestingly, many people all over the world have perceived ages that are far younger than their chronological age.

What factors influence how old you feel?

Education, health and loneliness are the three major factors that influence a person’s perceived age.

Does feeling younger improve health outcomes?

People who feel younger than their chronological age can experience many long-term benefits, including reduced risk of death and improved psychological wellbeing, physical health and outlook on life.

50 Is the New 40? Understanding Chronological Age vs. Perceived Age

If I asked you to tell me your age, would you give me your biological age, or would your brain revert to an age you feel more akin to? (To be fair, we’d probably shave off a few years because we feel younger at heart—and that’s okay).

So, is age just a number? Chronologically, we all have a birthday that marks our years on Earth. But what about how old we feel? Those are two very different perspectives.

Today we’re exploring the gap between how old you feel and how old you are, the factors that influence those perceptions and the benefits of embracing an age that is a few years younger than the one on your birth certificate.

Chronological Age vs. Perceived Age

Your chronological age refers to the objective number of years you’ve been alive. In contrast, your perceived age is how young or old you feel physically and mentally.

Let’s say you’re 57. If someone asks your age, you may not look or feel remotely close to that number. If you live an active lifestyle, eat relatively healthily and have a social circle that lights up your life, you may feel at least 10 years younger.

Many people all over the world have perceived ages that are younger than their chronological age. A long-term study in Germany showed that many participants felt an average of 11% younger than their biological age.

What Factors Influence Our Perceived Age?

It’s the question of the hour: What are the factors that shape our self-perceived age? The Germany study mentioned above sheds light on three major aspects that influenced the participants’ subjective ages:

Education
Those with higher education often feel younger than their biological age. This could be because they gain a lifelong love of learning and mental stimulation.
Health
It may come as no surprise that individuals who maintain a well-rounded diet rich in proteins, wholesome fats and carbohydrates tend to experience higher energy levels and an overall sense of well-being compared to those who frequently indulge in fast food or processed meals.
Loneliness
Individuals with a robust social network comprised of friends, colleagues and family members tend to experience less loneliness. The study’s findings indicated that lonely individuals are more inclined to feel older than their actual age.

A group of five older adults is sitting in the grass, smiling and taking a selfie together.

Benefits of Feeling Younger Than You Are

Perceiving yourself even a few years younger than you are may present you with several long-term benefits:

Improved Psychological Well-Being
People with a younger perceived age tend to have a better sense of well-being and experience lower levels of depression.
Better Physical Health
Embracing a youthful state of mind may lower your risk of dementia and hospitalization caused by illness.
Reduced Risk of Death
According to a study by Yannick Stephan from the University of Montpellier, people who felt 8 to 13 years older than their actual age had an 18 to 25% greater risk of death than those who felt and embraced an age that was younger than their biological age.
Increase in Physical Activity
If you are 60 and you feel 60 (or older), you may be less likely to partake in long walks or take an afternoon ride on the exercise bike. Why? Because you’re allowing your age to dictate what you’re capable of doing physically. However, leaving your biological age behind, adopting a younger perceived age and allowing your body to do as much physical activity as it wants may prove to you that you’re most certainly younger than you are.
Improved Outlook on Life
Many people with a lower subjective age envision their future selves more favorably. From visualizing an active social life to picturing a longer lifespan, this can lend a more optimistic outlook on the concept of aging.
Protection Against Aging Stereotypes
Ageism exists around the globe, from refusing to hire someone because of their age to charging them higher insurance premiums because they’re 65 or older. Feeling younger is an excellent form of self-defense against the negative associations that can come with ageism, as it can reduce their concerns and establish a more positive mindset for the years to come.

Key Takeaways

Is age just a number?
Not quite. While we can’t turn back the clock on our chronological age, how old we feel — our perceived age — can make a big difference in our health, mindset and quality of life.
What is perceived age?
Perceived age refers to how young or old someone feels both physically and mentally. Interestingly, many people all over the world have perceived ages that are far younger than their chronological age.
What factors influence how old you feel?
Education, health and loneliness are the three major factors that influence a person’s perceived age.
Does feeling younger improve health outcomes?
People who feel younger than their chronological age can experience many long-term benefits, including reduced risk of death and improved psychological wellbeing, physical health and outlook on life.

Earn a Graduate Credential in Aging

The scientific community is actively considering the implications of numerous studies on perceived age for health interventions and the strategic planning of healthcare for aging adults.

So, could the simple act of inquiring about a patient’s subjective age serve as a valuable tool for identifying individuals who may be at a higher risk for future health problems? Furthermore, should geriatricians advocate for embracing an age that feels younger than one’s biological age? These are essential questions that may shape the future of healthcare for older adults, fostering a more holistic and personalized approach to aging-related concerns.

If you’re intrigued by the evolving understanding of age and its impact on health, the University of Florida offers a range of online graduate programs designed to empower individuals like you with an expertise in aging.

Explore our online graduate programs in the field of gerontology and aging:

Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a new chapter in the field of aging studies. Apply to the University of Florida today to secure your spot in next semester’s classes and take the first step towards becoming a leader in the dynamic and impactful field of gerontology. Your future in aging studies begins here.

Sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/202308/you-probably-feel-younger-than-you-are
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180712-the-age-you-feel-means-more-than-your-actual-birthdate
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13607863.2011.596811
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180712-the-age-you-feel-means-more-than-your-actual-birthdate

50 Is the New 40? Understanding Chronological Age vs. Perceived Age