Stress over an upcoming birthday has more of an influence on how you age than the number of candles on your cake.
That's because stress can make you age prematurely. It's one of several environmental factors and lifestyle choices that help shape how long you will live, experts say.
"If you know someone's age, you don't know much about them," said Anne Glass, the assistant director of the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Georgia.
Your overall health is more of a determinant in how long you will live than genetics, she said. Genetics is a lottery, but good genes account for only 25 percent of the reasons for longevity.
Life span is limited or enhanced by your health choices, said Robert Young, a senior claims investigator for the Gerontology Research Group.
Sabina Widner, an associate professor of psychology at Augusta State University, said mental age, biological and sociocultural age also factor in.
Mental age depends on being able to manage emotions, solve problems, handle stress and act as a good role model. Sociocultural age is defined by adhering to cultural norms for your age in years, such as dressing appropriately for your age. Your real age is a combination of the four components, she said.
People who stay active, mentally and physically, can keep their independence longer when they get older, Dr. Glass said. New research has shown synapses continue to develop if given a new challenge, and the blood flow of physical exercise can delay Alzheimer's disease.
According to an Institute of Gerontology centenarian study, centenarians tend not to smoke or consume excessive alcohol, and maintain a healthy weight. Common sense things such as having access to health care throughout life contribute to longevity, and small things such as owning a pet can be beneficial because it relieves stress.
Living a stressful life, or feeling as though you don't have control, can be harmful if you do nothing to manage the stress, such as exercise or mediation or just taking a break. Centenarians were found to have dominant but practical and relaxed personalities and dealt well with stress.
"It's hard on your body if it's in constant stress," Dr. Glass said.
Women live longer, but the reason might not be just biological. Women are more likely to seek medical attention and get treatment for chronic illnesses than men and are more likely to seek support.
"You have somebody to talk to, you have somebody to help when you need it," she said.
Web sites such as realage.com allow you to calculate your "real age" versus your chronological age, but such tests are more of a check on your health habits, Mr. Young said.
"It's really not that accurate -- it's also used to encourage people to do the right thing," he said.
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Questions
1. You'll be more healthy if: a.) you stick to the same routine, day in and day out; b.) you vary your schedule by a couple of hours; c.) each day is different
2. True or false: You should always eat a morning meal, even if you're not hungry.
3. True or false: Stress makes no difference in your life expectancy.
4. The French life expectancy is three years more than Americans. Which two of these statements are possible contributors?: a.) drinking red wine; b.) a laid-back lifestyle; c.) proximity to delicious pastries
5. What percentage of what was thought of as premature aging is actually sun damage? a.) 50 percent; b.) 25 percent; c.) 90 percent
6. What are three habits of centenarians? a.) they don't smoke; b.) they maintain a healthy weight; c.) they don't drink; d.) they don't consume excess alcohol
7. True or false: Getting a pet might help you live longer.
8. Challenging your brain can develop new synapses. How can you challenge your brain?
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Answers
1. A. Your system runs more efficiently on the same schedule eating and sleeping
2. True. Anne Glass, the assistant director of the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Georgia, says the morning is one of the busiest times of the day. "That's when you need to have some fuel in your tank," she said.
3. False. Stress is harmful to your health.
4. A and B
5. 90 percent. Protect yourself with sunscreen. It should have one of these ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, parasol 1789, mexoryl, helioplex or heliosol.
6. A, B and D , according to the Institute of Gerontology's centenarian study.
7. True. Getting a pet relieves stress.
8. There are many ways. Some ways are by learning a new language, doing crossword puzzles, taking a different route to work or writing with your opposite hand.
Source: Institute of Gerontology at the University of Georgia
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