Being spontaneous, laughing a lot and flirting with strangers are the secrets to staying young at heart, it was revealed yesterday (03.04.2016).

Always looking on the bright side of life, getting lots of fresh air and daily gossips with a best friend were also hailed as the reasons many people over 60 feel so young.

The study of 2,000 people aged 60 and over reveals the top 50 secrets to staying energetic and young at heart – which includes drinking two glasses of wine a day, sprinkling goji berries onto morning muesli and reading erotic literature.

In fact, by following the list every day, the average person claims to FEEL up to 13 years younger, and LOOK nine years younger than they actually are.

Other lifestyle choices guaranteed to make more mature adults feel younger include never believing you are too old to do anything, and exercising every day, even if that just means a casual walk.

McCarthy & Stone commissioned the study to launch a nationwide search for Britain’s most Colourful Characters: people aged 60+ who are living life to the full, redefining retirement and doing anything but acting their age.

Clive Fenton, CEO of McCarthy & Stone, said: “Our research proves the old saying that ‘age is just a number’.

“People in their 60s are redefining retirement, rediscovering old interests and exploring new ones, and spending their hard-earned free time doing the things that they enjoy. The best part of their life is still ahead of them.

“Our researchers found that many people aged 60 and over are often surprised by the older face looking back at them from the mirror, because inside they still feel young at heart, and have every intention of living life to the full for as long as they can.”

The study shows many mature adults attribute their youthful attitude to their refusal to completely cut out the things they enjoy – such as butter, alcohol and chocolate.

Always having eight hours sleep a night, making an effort to socialise regularly and spending lots of time with the grandchildren were also included as tips on how to stay young.

While a number of people believe they manage to have such a young outlook on life because they’re keeping up with the latest technologies; such as investing in a smart phone, regularly posting on social media and using text speak such as ‘lol’.

A wise number of those polled think it is important to surround themselves with people who make them feel good, while others continue to socialise or work with people younger than themselves.

Always looking your best goes a long way to feeling young – as many people say it is important to take the time to look beautiful or well turned out, while others opt to dress in brightly coloured garments or wear absolutely amazing shoes.

Keeping up with the latest TV shows, watching reality television and listening to Radio One are other ways the over 60’s try to stay young.

And others always drive with the sun roof down, flirt with strangers whenever they have the chance and drink green tea by choice.

Researchers discovered 76 per cent of those polled say that others are always surprised when they divulge their real age, and 89 per cent certainly feel younger than their actual age.

In a bid to stay young 51 per cent of those polled intend to travel more during the next few years while 49 per cent want to go on lots more holidays.

More than a third of those polled want to embark on more exercise to try and stay as youthful as they can, and 31 per cent are intending to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Learning a new skill, investing in a whole new wardrobe and socialising more are some of the other ways the over 60’s intend to remain young and full of life.

Clive Fenton continues: “We want to celebrate people who are living life to the full by launching a search for the nation’s Colourful Characters – people aged 60+ who don’t let their age hold them back from living life to the full.

“We’re looking for people with the same attitude as a person half their age. Perhaps they remain active by jogging daily, have skydived from a plane, or have an unusual interest or hobby. Whatever it is that makes you neon, rather than grey – we want to hear from you!”

One Colourful Character will be selected from each region by a panel of judges including TV personality Arlene Phillips and will receive a £100 experience voucher. They will then go head-to-head in a public vote on Facebook. The overall winner will carry the nation’s most Colourful Character title, and will also win the trip of a lifetime, courtesy of Saga Holidays.

For your chance to be named the UK’s Most Colourful Character, or to make a nomination, visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk.

TOP 50 WAYS TO STAY YOUNG AT HEART
1. Laughing a lot, and at yourself
2. Never believe you are ‘too old’ to do anything
3. Always look on the bright side of life
4. Exercise every day, even if it’s just walking
5. Make sure you get fresh air everyday
6. Refusing to cut out things you enjoy such as butter, alcohol, chocolate
7. Avoid spending time with people who are unhappy or who grumble
8. Always having 8 hours sleep a night
9. Make an effort to socialise regularly
10. Be spontaneous
11. Spend lots of time with the grandchildren
12. Staying up until 11pm
13. Keeping up with the latest technology
14. Use Facebook
15. Regular travelling around the world
16. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good
17. Take the time to look beautiful / well turned out
18. Work / socialise with younger people
19. Keeping up with the latest TV shows
20. Drinking 2 glasses of wine a day
21. Wearing brightly coloured garments
22. Invest in your first ‘smart phone’
23. Having lots of sex
24. Daily gossips with a best friend
25. Listen to new music in the charts
26. Browse in high street shops like Top Shop and New Look
27. Flirting with strangers
28. Drinking green tea
29. Invest money in pretty things
30. Monitoring the number of steps you do in a day
31. Use Twitter
32. Watching reality television
33. Take up yoga or Pilates
34. Listen to Radio One
35. Reading erotic literature
36. Regularly attend gigs
37. Try new alcoholic drinks
38. Go to parties
39. Buy an exercise bike
40. Drive with the sunroof open
41. Sprinkling goji berries, nuts or seeds on morning muesli
42. Having a celebrity crush
43. Using text speak or phrases like ‘lol’ or cba’
44. Wear amazing shoes
45. Buying a flash sports car
46. Upload photos of your young self on social media
47. Dying hair a wacky colour
48. Get a tattoo
49. Playing football with friends of a similar age
50. Posing for the camera when no-one is around
ENDS