Does Stress Speed Up Aging?
- The Health Digest
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
As we get older, we tend to pay more attention to the habits that support healthy aging—eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep, and keeping up with regular medical care. But growing evidence suggests there's another factor that deserves attention: the people we spend time with.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who regularly deal with individuals who create conflict, add stress, or make everyday life more difficult may experience faster biological aging. While the study doesn't prove that difficult relationships directly cause accelerated aging, it does highlight the powerful connection between our social lives and our long-term health.
What Is a "Hassler"?
Researchers used the term "hasslers" to describe people who consistently cause problems, create stress, or make life more difficult. These aren't simply people who occasionally disagree with us—they're individuals whose ongoing behavior adds strain to our daily lives.
The study included more than 2,300 adults between the ages of 18 and 103. Nearly one in three participants reported having at least one "hassler" in their close social circle, showing that these challenging relationships are more common than many people realize.
Psychologists say this makes sense. Humans are naturally wired for connection, so the emotional tone of our relationships can influence everything from our mood to our energy level and outlook on life.
Stress May Show Up in Your Cells
The researchers looked beyond participants' birthdays to measure biological aging, which reflects how quickly the body's cells are aging rather than how many years a person has lived.
Using saliva samples, the team analyzed biological markers associated with aging. They found that each additional "hassler" in a person's close social network was linked to about a 1.5% increase in the pace of biological aging.
That doesn't mean one difficult relative suddenly adds years to your life overnight. Instead, the findings suggest that ongoing social stress may gradually contribute to the wear and tear the body experiences over time.
It's important to remember that this research found an association—not proof of cause and effect. Many factors influence aging, including genetics, lifestyle, overall health, and chronic stress.
Who Is Most Likely to Experience These Stressful Relationships?
The study found that certain groups were more likely to report difficult people in their lives.
People who had experienced adversity during childhood, those who smoked daily, and individuals already dealing with poorer health were more likely to have "hasslers" in their social networks.
Women also reported difficult relationships somewhat more often than men.
Interestingly, the most stressful people weren't usually close friends. They were more likely to be family members—particularly parents or adult children. Outside the family, coworkers, neighbors, and roommates were more commonly identified as ongoing sources of stress.
For many adults over 50, this may sound familiar. Caring for aging parents, navigating relationships with adult children, or managing long-standing family dynamics can all become significant sources of emotional strain.
The Mental Health Impact Is Significant
Perhaps the strongest finding wasn't about aging itself—it was about mental well-being.
Each additional stressful relationship was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, along with lower ratings of overall mental health.
Chronic stress can also contribute to:
Difficulty sleeping
Trouble concentrating
Changes in appetite
Increased irritability
Feeling emotionally exhausted or overwhelmed
Over time, prolonged stress may also affect physical health by raising blood pressure, disrupting digestion, weakening the immune system, and contributing to weight gain.
You Can't Always Avoid Difficult People
Of course, walking away isn't always realistic.
Many of the people who create stress are family members, coworkers, or others we can't completely remove from our lives. That's why experts recommend focusing on the things we can control rather than trying to change someone else's behavior.
Healthy boundaries are one of the most effective tools.
Setting clear expectations, limiting unnecessary conflict, and protecting your own emotional well-being can reduce the impact these relationships have on your health.
Experts also recommend making time for habits that help your body recover from stress, including:
Regular physical activity
Quality sleep
Meditation or deep breathing
Journaling
Spending time with supportive friends
Hobbies and activities that bring joy
Even short breaks from stressful situations can help your mind and body reset.
The Bottom Line
Healthy aging isn't only about diet and exercise. The quality of our relationships matters, too.
If someone consistently leaves you feeling drained, anxious, or emotionally exhausted, it may be worth considering how that relationship affects your overall well-being. While difficult people are sometimes unavoidable, setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing supportive connections can help protect both your mental health and your body over time.
As research continues to explore the connection between stress and aging, one message is becoming increasingly clear: taking care of your relationships is another important way to take care of yourself.
