If your joints feel stiffer than they used to, you may think the answer is simply resting more. What doesn't help is avoiding movement altogether.

If your knees, hips, shoulders, or back feel achy during everyday activities, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is assuming painful joints should always be protected by avoiding movement.

If you've noticed that bending down, reaching overhead, or getting up from the floor feels a little harder than it used to, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is assuming stiffness is simply an unavoidable part of getting older.

If fitness feels harder to maintain than it used to—or like it requires more effort for fewer results—you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is being told you just need tougher workouts or more discipline.