Eating well and regular exercise are among top ways over 70s stay young

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Nearly three-quarters of over-70s feel years younger than they are - with more than a tenth feeling up to 20 years younger (Image: SWNS)
Nearly three-quarters of over-70s feel years younger than they are - with more than a tenth feeling up to 20 years younger (Image: SWNS)

How old are you really? What are you most likely to do on holiday, would you take on a midweek gig, and how likely are you to get a tattoo?

This quiz will look at the hobbies and activities you take part in to see whether you’re an old soul – or still young at heart.

It comes after a study of 1,000 over 70s found they swear by a varied diet, laughing daily – and an active sex life to stay young.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) feel years younger than their actual age, and are far more active than they imagined they would be.

Socialising with pals, having a strong skincare routine, and keeping up to date with new tech, are also among the things that help them feel young.

Dr Michael Mosley shares exercise that can cut cholesterol and blood pressure eiqtiddeiqduinvDr Michael Mosley shares exercise that can cut cholesterol and blood pressure

Others swear by hanging out with people younger than themselves (16%), and keeping up with new music (9%).

And one in 20 still lift their feet up and glide around on supermarket trollies every time they get the chance.

It also emerged 75% reckon the old age stereotype no longer applies to their age group.

A spokesman for Vitabiotics Wellman 70+ and Wellwoman 70+ vitamins, which commissioned the research, said: “Getting older no longer means you have to slow down and miss out on the things you love.

“For a long time, a popular phrase was “40 is the new 30” – but now, as people are living longer, it’s probably fair to say in many cases 70 can be the new 40.

“Older adults are more informed and proactive to stay active and healthy, which enables them to keep doing the things they love and live their lives well.”

The study also asked respondents what age they’d have considered someone old, when they were a child – pinpointing that age at 53 years and four months.

But now, pensioners don’t see themselves as old until they turn 78 – with 76% of those polled claiming that people are reaching “old age” much later now, than in previous generations.

And 43% think they are doing a good job of changing people’s perceptions of what “old” people are like.

Eating well and regular exercise are among top ways over 70s stay youngPuzzles like crosswords and Sudoku are one of the top ways of staying young (SWNS)

More than four in ten (43%) tend to feel they age more physically than mentally, with just 9% feeling the strain in their brain.

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In fact, 14% of those polled, via OnePoll, feel as many as 20 years younger than the figure on their birth certificate.

And 23% believe their grandchildren don’t see them as “old”, with 29% claiming they are even seen as in-the-know on current trends by their younger counterparts.

The spokesman for Wellman 70+ and Wellwoman 70+ vitamins added: “Being young really is a state of mind, it seems.

“By making the effort to stay active both physically and mentally, as well as taking good care of your general health, it really is possible to stave off those feelings of being old for years, or even decades.

“However, a lot of it comes from humility gained with age – you’re much less likely to feel older, when you’re older yourself.”

TOP 35 WAYS OVER-70s STAY YOUNG:

  1. Eating well
  2. Keeping your mind active with things like Sudoku, crosswords, and Wordle
  3. Laughing at least once a day
  4. Socialising with friends
  5. Dressing how you please
  6. Keeping an interest in what your grandchildren, nieces, and nephews follow
  7. Getting lots of sleep at night so you have enough energy for the day
  8. Abiding by the rule of having “a little of what you fancy”
  9. Keeping up to date with how to use the latest technology
  10. Playing with younger grandkids/nieces/nephews
  11. Taking vitamin supplements
  12. Actively avoiding things you feel are cliched for “old” people, like knitting or bingo
  13. Exercising regularly
  14. Having a good skincare routine
  15. Watching new TV shows
  16. Doing 10k steps a day
  17. Walking the dog
  18. Keeping up to date with popular culture, such as museums and exhibitions
  19. Having an active or regular sex life
  20. Hanging out with people younger than you
  21. Having regular conversations with younger people about what's “cool”
  22. Stretching/yoga
  23. Playing in the snow with the children or grandchildren
  24. Regular trips to the pub
  25. Dyeing your hair
  26. Continuing education or learning something new
  27. Sending a Valentine's card
  28. Keeping up with new music or what's in the charts
  29. Setting goals on your fitness watch/tracker
  30. Going out dancing
  31. Playing video games
  32. Using TikTok/social media
  33. Playing pranks on family members
  34. Gliding around on supermarket trollies when they get the chance
  35. Getting a tattoo

Martin Winter

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