The saying, “you’re only as old as you feel,” may have some truth to it when it comes to rehabilitating from physical disabilities.

Study from Barllan University in Israel found that people with younger subjective age increase their chances of a better rehabilitation outcome from medical conditions in their old age.

For this study, the researchers followed 194 adult patients between the ages of 73 to 84 years old underoging either rehab from an osteoporotic fracture or stroke in rehab facilities. During the study, patients were interviewed several times throughout their rehab journey with questions regarding their subjective age (how young they felt), feelings, and experiences. Their functional status was assessed by nursing staff who rated their functioning level at admission to discharge using a measurement of functional independence.

Patients who felt younger at admission showed better functional independence at discharge a month later for both stroke and osteoporotic fracture patients. This was likely because they were more optimistic about their outcome. The subjective age was noted to be the strongest predictor of rehab outcome, even more than patient’s chronological age and co-morbidities at admission.

“Those who feel younger can maintain their health and functioning for longer periods, and as the current study shows, can recuperate better from disability. Therefore, by perceiving themselves to age successfully people may preserve a healthy and vigorous lifestyle,” stated co-authopr Amit Shrira.

Your mind governs everything so it’s be mindful of your own self-talk and own delusions. And always maintain a positive, yet realistic attitude when undergoing challenges.

The study was published in the journal Gerontology.

DM Kalir et al. Feeling younger, rehabilitating better: reciprocal and mediating effects between subjective age and functional independence in osteoporotic fracture and stroke patients. Gerontology. DOI: 10.1159/000524885