Why You Need Not Fear Aging

March 14, 2026

Worrying about getting older especially fearing future health problems, may actually speed up ageing at the cellular level, according to new research from the New York University.

In a study of more than 700 women, those who felt more anxious about ageing showed signs of faster biological ageing in their blood, measured using cutting-edge “epigenetic clocks.” Fears about declining health had the strongest link, while concerns about beauty or fertility didn’t appear to have the same biological impact.

New research from NYU School of Global Public Health suggests that these fears could be linked to faster ageing at the cellular level in women.

“Our research suggests that subjective experiences may be driving objective measures of ageing,” said Mariana Rodrigues, a PhD student at NYU School of Global Public Health and the first author of the study, published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.
“Ageing-related anxiety is not merely a psychological concern, but may leave a mark on the body with real health consequences,” added Mariana.

Many adults experience concern about ageing, including fears of illness, physical decline, and losing independence. Previous research has shown that ongoing psychological distress can influence biological aging through epigenetic changes, which are shifts in how genes are turned on or off.

“We know from previous research that anxiety, depression, and mental health in general are associated with a number of physical health outcomes, but until now researchers haven’t focused on whether there is a correlation between worrying about ageing and the process of ageing itself,” said Rodrigues.

Why Women May Experience More Ageing Anxiety

Women may be especially vulnerable to anxiety about ageing. Social expectations around youth and appearance, along with concerns about fertility, can heighten stress during midlife.

“Women in midlife may also be multiple in roles, including caring for their ageing parents. As they see older family members grow older and become sick, they may worry about whether the same thing will happen to them,” Rodrigues explained.
To explore the connection between ageing anxiety and biological ageing, researchers examined data from 726 women participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study.

Participants reported how much they worried about becoming less attractive, developing health problems, or being too old to have children.