New research suggests a connection between feeling older than your chronological age and poor sleep quality. A study led by the National Sleep Foundation, published in the journal Sleep, focused on this relationship. The research involved over 3,100 adults who answered the question, “How old do you feel?”
The study found that adults who felt older reported insomnia, irregular sleep, and fatigue more often. These findings point to a tie between perceived age and sleep quality, consistency, and daytime function.
Participants feeling older than their actual age showed poorer sleep and more related problems. Additionally, researchers noted a link between feeling older and poorer physical health.
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist, highlighted that these results align with his observations. “Clients often express feeling older due to exhaustion, mental fog, and lack of motivation,” he shared. Alpert noted that poor sleep frequently contributes to these issues.
Experts highlight sleep deprivation’s effects on daily life. Insufficient sleep can make tasks feel harder and decrease concentration. Over time, these factors may lead to premature aging feelings.
Alpert advises examining sleep habits before attributing fatigue and low energy to aging. The study underscores that feeling older shouldn’t always be linked to age alone.
However, the study’s findings come with limitations. It relied on self-reported data about perceived age and sleep patterns. The observational nature means it’s unclear if poor sleep causes the feeling of aging or vice versa.