Scientists in recent years have developed ways to measure biological age by tracking chemical changes in DNA that occur naturally as people age but occur at different times in different people. These so-called "epigenetic clocks" have proved to be better predictors of lifespan and health than chronological age.

According to their findings, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry , stress does indeed make life's clock tick faster—but that individuals can help manage the effects by strengthening their emotion regulation and self-control.