Toxic 'hasslers' in your life may speed up biological aging by months

The people we surround ourselves with may speed up how quickly we age. A new study has found that difficult relationships—with those dubbed 'hasslers'—can take a measurable toll on the body. Researchers warn that chronic stress from demanding or critical individuals doesn’t just feel draining; it accelerates biological aging.

The study, published in PNAS, defined 'hasslers' as people who make excessive demands, are overly critical, easily irritate, or prove unreliable. Each additional hassler in someone’s life was linked to aging roughly nine months faster. The effect was so strong that it accounted for 13-17% of the biological aging gap between smokers and non-smokers.

Stress from family members had a bigger impact than stress from a spouse. High cortisol levels and systemic inflammation caused by these relationships damage cells over time. The result is faster aging, even when accounting for diet and exercise. Experts suggest auditing one’s social circle to spot who leaves you energised and who leaves you exhausted. Reframing boundaries as a form of healthcare can also help. Saying 'no' to draining demands may protect long-term well-being. Investing in supportive, positive relationships, meanwhile, acts as a buffer. These connections help counteract the biological wear and tear caused by hasslers.

The findings highlight how deeply relationships shape health. Cutting down on stressful interactions and nurturing uplifting ones could slow biological aging. For those looking to stay younger longer, managing social stress may be as important as diet or exercise.