Feeling Older at 35? Your Biological Age May Tell a Different Story

You're only 35, 38 or 45.

So why are you suddenly more tired? Why doesn't your body bounce back like it used to? Why is maintaining your weight harder? Why does one bad night's sleep seem to affect your entire next day? Is this just what happens after 35—or is there more to the story? There may be.

Your Birthday Is Only One Measure of Age

Your chronological age is simple: the number of birthdays you've celebrated. Your biological age is different. It's an estimate of how your body is aging based on biological, physical and lifestyle factors.

That's why two people can both be 38 and feel completely different. One may have great energy, sleep well, exercise regularly and feel strong. The other may feel exhausted, stressed, out of shape and wonder: “When did I start feeling this old?”

Same chronological age. Potentially very different health and aging profiles.

Why Healthy Aging Should Start in Your 30s

Most people don't think about aging until they're much older. But aging doesn't suddenly begin at 60. The habits you're building right now—how you sleep, eat, move, manage stress and maintain muscle—help shape your health in the decades ahead.

And sleep alone is a major issue. About 3 in 10 American adults report getting less than seven hours of sleep, and roughly 1 in 5 have difficulty staying asleep.

Your 30s aren't too early to think about healthy aging. They may be one of the best times to start.

Can You Actually Improve Your Biological Age?

This is where biological-age research gets fascinating. Scientists are studying “biological clocks” that look beyond birthdays to better understand how quickly different people - and even different organs and tissues - are aging.

The science is still developing, and no biological-age score can predict exactly how long you'll live.

But here's the important part: Many of the things associated with healthy aging are things you can influence.

• Your movement.

• Your nutrition.

• Your sleep.

• Your body composition.

• Your recovery.

• Your daily habits.

Your birthday isn't changing. But the way you take care of the body carrying you into your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond can.

How Old Is Your Body?

That's the question I think becomes much more interesting after 35.

Not: “How old am I?”

You already know that.

Instead ask: “How well am I aging?”

The Bio-Age™ Assessment looks at multiple areas connected to healthy aging—including exercise, nutrition, sleep, lifestyle, body measurements, mental wellbeing, connection and cognitive health—to calculate your personalized Bio-Age Score.

Think of it as a starting point.

Where are you doing well?

Where might you have room to improve?

And what could you start changing today?

Don't Wait Until 60 to Start Thinking About 60

Maybe you're 37 and feel fantastic. Great.

This isn't about being afraid of getting older.

It's about doing what you can now so you can continue doing the things you love later.

Travel. Hike. Work. Golf. Play with your children. Someday chase your grandchildren.

Think clearly. Stay strong. Maintain your independence.

You can't stop getting older.

But you can start taking better care of the body that's taking you there.

What's Your Bio-Age?

You're going to get older either way.

The more interesting question is:

How are you aging? Take the FREE Bio-Age™ Assessment and discover your Bio-Age Score.

Then learn what your results mean and explore the steps you can take to support healthier aging—starting today.