When you get asked how old you are, you are more likely to respond by counting the years since your birth. Your chronological age is that number. However, if your doctor says you're physically fit for a 21-year-old, you might be right. Regardless of how many years ago you were born, this would be your biological age.
Your chronological age will always be a simple number; however, your biological age is determined by various factors that change over time such as pollution and stress. The distinction between the couple can be startling, and it's certainly worth investigating further.
What is chronological age?
The chronological age of a person refers to how long they have been alive. The length of time someone has lived does not alter, regardless of how wholesome a lifestyle they lead—even if it includes excellent exercise and dietary practices.
Everyone ages at their own pace. Some people appear to age relatively quickly, while others slowly. We've all met someone who looks way younger than they are indeed for the first time.
What is biological age?
The biological age solely refers to how your body has changed in terms of health due to your chronological age. This figure isn't just determined by the number of birthdays you've celebrated. It also takes into account your health, nutrition, and sicknesses. Knowing your biological age can help you better understand your current health situation.
How to calculate biological age
An online quiz, such as the Activ Age Calculator, can be used to determine your biological age. This short quiz starts with your current age and then calculates your biological age based on things like your eating habits, lifestyle, blood sugar level, and cholesterol level.
Factors that affect biological age:
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Exercise
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Eating habits
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Stress levels
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Alcohol consumption
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Sleep
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Relationships
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Tobacco usage
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Exposure to pollutants in the environment
How can you improve your biological age?
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Quit smoking and abstain from consuming alcohol
Your Activ Age can rise due to cigarette smoking and alcohol usage since they are bad for your health and can contribute to illnesses related to the liver and lungs. So, trying to reduce or limit your alcohol consumption as well as quitting smoking will help reduce the harm these habits have on your body, which will help improve your biological age.
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Get a sufficient amount of sleep
Sleep deprivation can cause a constant feeling of exhaustion and has been related to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and even mental illnesses such as depression, which will affect your biological age. Sleep is vital for your health as getting enough rest and sleep enables your body to repair and can help prevent excess weight gain and illnesses, which are all contributors to biological age.
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Develop good eating habits
Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, legumes, low-fat dairy, and high-fiber grains. Make an eating schedule and stick to it to ensure that you eat at appropriate times to avoid midnight binges. While cultivating good eating habits, you are less likely to develop health complications like diabetes, thereby improving your biological age.
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Exercise regularly
You can begin by setting a goal of walking for an hour or 10,000 steps per day. This activity can help you kickstart your fitness journey. When you start exercising regularly, you can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart diseases, and help manage your blood sugar levels, which are all factors that impact your biological age.
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Reduce your stress levels.
Stress accelerates the aging process more than anything else. Compare images of presidents before and after their terms in office if you need proof! Stress can contribute to many health problems including obesity, diabetes, blood pressure and heart disease. So, reducing your stress levels by going outside more, spending time with family and friends, and sleeping more will all help reverse the effects of stress and improve your biological age.
In conclusion, as the years pass, your chronological age will increase at a constant rate. You can, however, take action to improve your biological age. You could have a biological generation younger than your chronological age if you make the correct lifestyle modifications like eating healthily, working out regularly, and sleeping more.
