The new 'middle age'

NORFOLK,Va - Are you 30-something and already feeling over the hill? A new study by the Phillips Center for Health and Well-being suggests that 35 is the new 40.

Thirty-something Norfolk Hair Stylist Glenn Hawker told WAVY.com, "My shoulders for some reasons hurt a lot more these days."

Hawker is one of a growing number of 30-somethings who's feeling pushed over the hill, early. "Now, around 3:00 p.m. I just feel ugh, and have to get some coffee, lots of coffee!" Hawker said

His client Kim Kranz is right there with him. "I think last year was kind of that year for me," she said.

Turns out age may only be part of the problem.

"Everything we think has an effect on our body," said Dr. Philip Snider. He suggests people are thinking a lot about the bad economy.

"When we think bad thoughts, we can have bad chemicals released in our body. That can make our blood pressure go up, make our heart rate go up and actually make us increase stress hormones," Dr. Snider said.

The more we stress out, the more bad choices we tend to make.

"So we don't exercise like we normally would, or we don't eat the foods that we know we should," said Snider.

The good news, he said, is that we can turn back the clock. Talking to a friend, a trusted church leader or counselor  "can help you reframe what's going on and realize that no matter how bad it is, it's temporary."

 "Now I feel like there's a push to be healthier so I don't feel worse when I actually do hit 40," Hawker said, and he knows curling up and complaining won't cut it.

Doctor Snider sends patients to RealAge.com.  The Website  figures out how old your body feels by asking things like, how much sleep do you get and how many veggies to you eat.  Then it offers suggestions on small changes that can make a big difference in how you feel.