6 Things That Shockingly Get Smaller As You Age (Backed by Science)

The unexpected physical and emotional changes that come with aging and the science behind them.

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Aging is a universal process that creeps into every corner of our lives. We all know about the wrinkles, the grey hair, and the stiffening joints, but there’s so much more that shrinks as time marches forward—things that hit deeper than just the physical.

And while society often sugarcoats the aging process, framing it in terms of wisdom and acceptance, there’s a stark reality: some critical aspects of life start to diminish, and many of these changes come as a genuine shock to those who haven’t faced them yet.

Here are six things that shockingly get smaller as we age, backed by science.

Happiness Shrinks as You Get Older

Here’s something that catch many off guard : our happiness.

The mainstream narrative suggests that as we age, we grow more content with life, basking in the glow of our achievements and family. Yet, this idealized image is far from the truth for most people.

In reality, happiness undergoes a slow, almost imperceptible decline and the data doesn’t lie.