I recently took an online survey for my health insurance to see what my “biological age” is. It took me through a series of questions to determine the “actual” age of my body — not how many birthdays I’ve had.
Our chronological age is our age based on our birthdate and is not something we can change. Biological age, however, refers to how old a person “seems.” Our biological age is often different from our chronological age. Though genetics are considered, our biological age is largely determined by our lifestyle.
Habits like sleep patterns, nutrition, exercise, stress levels and, yes, even our relationship status, are contributing factors. While we cannot do anything about the number of candles on our birthday cake each year, we can improve our biological age by making a few small changes.
Manage stress. Everyday stressors like work, raising kids and financial issues can really take a toll on our immune system. It can also slow our metabolism and store fat. We may not be able to minimize the amount of stress in our lives, but we’ve hopefully gained the wisdom to know how to manage it. Any activity you enjoy can be a good stress buster, whether it is guided mediation, massage, crafting, reading, yoga or going for a run.
Maintain a healthy diet. Limit simple carbohydrates and processed sugars. Even small amounts can dehydrate skin and cause wrinkles. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and eat foods that are high in antioxidants, like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
Move. As we age, bones weaken and muscles lose strength and flexibility. Thirty minutes per day, five days a week is all you need to start turning back the clock.
Sleep. Stick to a schedule that allows for seven to eight hours of sleep each night so you’ll have lots of energy the following day. A good night’s rest also gives your skin a youthful glow. Going to sleep and waking at the same time every day will set your body’s internal clock and you‘ll begin to wake naturally without the irritating sound of an alarm.
Relationship status can also have an impact on biological age. Studies show that people in healthy relationships and happily married couples tend to have higher bone density and are even less likely to develop heart disease.
We have all experienced meeting someone who seems much younger or older than their actual age. I’d prefer to be mistaken for the former.
Angela Fulgieri is a Program Director for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. Write her at observerfitness@ gmail.com.