Over 70s reveal their top tips for staying young in old age

Whether you’re an old soul or still young at heart these are the best hobbies and activities to take part in

A study has shown 75 per cent of those over 70 believe the old age stereotype no longer applies to their age group (SWNS.com)

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 per cent) 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.

Others swear by hanging out with people younger than themselves (16 per cent) and keeping up with new music (nine per cent).

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

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

A spokesperson 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.

While 76 per cent of those polled believe people are reaching “old age” much later now, than in previous generations.

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

More than four in 10 (43 per cent) tend to feel they age more physically than mentally, with just nine per cent feeling the strain in their brain.

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

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

A spokesperson 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.”

How old are you really? Take this quiz to find out

Top 35 ways over the 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 or 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 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. Regular conversations about what’s ‘cool’ with younger people
22. Stretching/ yoga
23. Playing in the snow with the children or grandchildren
24. Regular trips to the pub
25. Dying 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. Doing pranks on family members
34. Gliding around on supermarket trollies when I get the chance
35. Getting a tattoo