Feeling younger helps boost brain youth. There are some people who seem years younger than they really are. According to new research, it may have a lot to do with attitude. “The study looked at men and women 50 to 75 years old and found that 89% felt younger and 11% felt older than their actual age. Those who felt older than their age scored 25% lower on memory and cognitive tests than those who felt younger.” The reason for the effect may be complex and have to do both with how a person is thinking and the healthy behaviors they engage in as a result of feeling younger. “The study comes as recent research suggests aging is both a subjective and biological experience. A younger self-image was more common in physically active people with a lower body-mass index, the latest study found.” The researchers say the finding might help doctors identify individuals who may need to be monitored more closely for cognitive decline. Feeling older than your actual age may indicate a risk for dementia sooner than those who feel younger.

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