Are you aging faster than you'd like?

There is a common link between how you age and the level of stress in your life

by Kasey Meyer | Director of Mental Health | MSW, LICSW

Aging is a thing of beauty, but if you are aging faster than you’d like these days it could be from stress. Stress is different for each person, but it ultimately can be wreaking havoc on your body. Age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, excess weight, stubborn weight around your mid-section? There is a common link between how you age and the level of stress in your life. Check out this article posted by NC State University: It’s Not Just You: Young People Look, Feel Older When They’re Stressed

A study was conducted in 2018, collecting data from 107 adults between the ages of 18 and 36. Individuals were asked to track their stress levels for eight consecutive days, looking at stress levels, how much control they felt they had, and how they looked that day. The key findings showed that on days where stress levels were reported to be higher, participants also felt like they looked older. It was also noted that participants on days that stress was elevated, they felt like they had a lower sense of control.

Stress increases our cortisol levels over time and can speed up the aging process, not only by how you think you look but also how it is affecting your biological clock. Think of a time when you felt stressed out and a lack of control about the situation: How did you feel? What did you eat? How did you sleep? All these things greatly affect your mind, body, and soul. Everyone deserves to feel confident in their bodies, in control of their stress, and at peace with the beauty of aging. We’re here to help you navigate the impacts stress may be having on your overall health so that you can feel good from the inside out!

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