Summary
A report finds that stress from difficult people, termed "hasslers," can speed up biological aging. The research suggests that each additional difficult person in one’s social life can increase aging by approximately 1.5% or nine months beyond their actual age.
Key Facts
- Stress from "toxic people" may increase biological aging faster than chronological aging.
- The report was written by Dr. Sebastian Ocklenburg from MSH Medical School in Hamburg.
- Researchers linked exposure to "hasslers" with a faster aging pace.
- Each extra "hassler" adds about 1.5% more to biological aging.
- Toxic friends or family have more impact on aging than toxic spouses.
- The main advice from the research is to limit contact with toxic individuals.
- Emerging studies are changing long-held views on aging, suggesting people can improve with age.
