Do you feel older than you really are? A new study has found Americans over 45 feel 12 years older than their actual age, on average.
The poll of 2,000 American millennials and older (age 28 and up, split evenly by generation) found that 47% don't feel their age.
Half of baby boomers (ages 60 to 78), 54% of the silent generation (ages 79 to 96) and 45% of Gen Xers (ages 44 to 59) said they all felt different than their actual age, according to the poll.
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Motive Health, the survey found that baby boomers feel an average of 14 years older, the silent generation feels 12 years older than their actual age and Gen Xers feel 10 years older on average.
According to the poll, people who feel older than their actual age said it manifests through body pain (55%), getting tired easily (48%) and feeling overall less active (31%). Moreover, 55% of people who feel older than their actual age blame joint pain, and 45% have held back their daily lives because of it.
The study also found nearly half (47%) of Americans won't tell others when they're in pain because they don't want to be seen as too old or frail (19%), that they're overreacting (18%) or that they're making everything about themselves (18%).
"Until they experience it, many people don't realize the total impact joint pain can have on their lives," Rob Morocco, President and CEO at Motive Health, said in a statement. "Losing your mobility and independence to joint pain can be frustrating and, without a doubt, make many people feel older than they are. The good news is, there's technology that can reduce pain now and prevent it into the future, helping many people get back to feeling and living their best."
From all demographics, nearly everyone (98%) said they would feel more positive about their future if they didn't have knee pain, according to the survey. More than half (54%) would be willing to change their diet and exercise, while 52% reported a willingness to try physical therapy and at-home exercises.
"While joint pain can make people feel like their life is on pause, the great news is that there are ways to get moving again," said Morocco. "For example, research has found that building muscle strength is central to resolving joint pain. With that knowledge in hand, there are now solutions for people with joint pain that will help rebuild that muscle strength and get them back to living full, active lives."