Sleep may reveal a woman’s true age

A recent study reported that the feeling that a person is older than his actual age may not be just a passing feeling, but rather is directly related to sleep quality and general health.

The study, which included more than 3,100 adults, examined the concept of “subjective age,” or the age a person feels compared to his real age, and its relationship to several indicators related to sleep. The results showed that the gap between the two ages may have deeper health connotations than thought, and is reflected in the quality of sleep, wakefulness, and daily performance, according to the Mind Body Green website.

The researchers relied on the concept of subjective age, in addition to chronological age, as an indicator linked to general health and longevity. 3,177 people participated in the study, with an average age of about 42.8 years, with a similar proportion of women and men.

Participants were asked to answer a simple question: “How old do you feel?”, in addition to scientific assessments related to sleep, such as the severity of insomnia, the regularity of sleep, and the extent to which sleep disturbances affect daily performance. Mental and physical health, including anxiety and depression, were also assessed before calculating the difference between actual and perceived age, with a positive difference indicating a feeling that a person is older than their actual age.

The results showed that people who feel that they are older than their actual age suffer from higher rates of insomnia, greater sleep disturbances, and a decline in sleep quality, in addition to irregular sleep schedules.

What is noteworthy is that these results remained stable even after taking into account factors such as age, gender, and psychological state, including anxiety and depression. Analyzes indicate a possible mediating relationship with sleep, such that sleep disturbances contribute to enhancing the feeling of aging, which in turn is linked to deteriorating physical health.

On the other hand, the study does not rule out that the trend is also reversed, as poor sleep may lead to feelings of fatigue, decreased activity, and increased feelings of pain, which is reflected psychologically in the form of a feeling of greater age. Thus, the relationship between sleep and subjective age appears to be mutual, each feeding the other in a cycle that may be difficult to break.

The results indicate that improving sleep quality may be the key to modifying this feeling. One of the most prominent recommendations of the study is that regular sleep and wake-up times play a greater role than the number of hours of sleep itself in improving the overall quality of sleep.

She also stressed that sleep disorders are not an inevitable part of aging, but can be improved and treated. Other helpful behaviors include regular exercise, stress management, and exposure to morning light, as they have a positive impact on sleep and daily energy.

The feeling of being “older” upon waking up may be more than just a passing sensation, as it may reflect a close connection between sleep and mental and physical health. The study concludes that improving sleep quality is not only reflected in a good night’s rest, but may also change the way we perceive our age and view ourselves.