Five Habits A GP Says Separates People Who Age Well From Those Who Don’t

2) Prioritising sleep and recovery 

“Chronic poor sleep can accelerate ageing at a cellular level,” Dr Greenyer said.

“It affects hormones, recovery, inflammation and even visible signs like skin quality.”

Experts think that following a “7-1” sleeping rule (getting at least seven hours of sleep a night, with no more than an hour’s variance between bedtimes and wake-up times) could add years to your life.

3) Reducing inflammation through lifestyle choices 

In and of itself, inflammation isn’t a problem – it can help our bodies to heal and may be an important part of muscle growth. 

But “inflammaging” can occur when inflammation is chronic, and might contribute to conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and frailty.

It “is influenced by diet, stress, alcohol intake and overall lifestyle,” Dr Greenyer said. 

Those who eat whole foods, stay active, and manage stress well may have less unwanted inflammation, he added. 

4) Maintaining “metabolic flexibility” 

This is the ability to respond well to changing metabolic demands. It allows you to switch between burning carbohydrates and fat; a more flexible metabolism is linked to better ageing.

“When this is impaired, people are more prone to energy crashes, fat gain and insulin resistance,” Dr Greenyer said. Exercise, eating well, and avoiding constant snacking may help, he added.

5) Enjoying life, in moderation

There’s lots of research to support the idea that enjoying ourselves – be it through socialising or even eating some candy – might help us to live longer. 

“There is good evidence that polyphenol-rich foods such as dark chocolate can support cardiovascular health when consumed in moderation,” Dr Greenyer added. “Just as important is maintaining strong social connections, which are consistently associated with longer lifespan and better mental wellbeing.”

He ended, “The difference comes from small choices repeated over years – but they should still allow you to enjoy life.”