How to live longer and HEALTHIER!

Tiny tweaks to your lifestyle can mean big rewards when it comes to your wellbeing and happiness

-  TANYA PEAREY

Tips on living life to the full

How you live your life now can have an impact on how long you live, and how healthy and happy you are. And it doesn't have to mean a major overhaul or a huge commitment. Some simple changes can make all the difference, says TV's Dr Dawn Harper. Here are her top five tips.

For my book Live Well to 101 (£12.99, PB, Headline), I interviewed centenarians living life to the full, and I heard some amazing and diverse stories from all walks of life, but what struck me the most was the similarities in the way these people lived. Here's what they taught me.

* MOVE

My centenarians didn't book a Friday night paddle court or attend a weekly yoga class. They simply walked or cycled everywhere. I came across this from Public Health England: 'Walk briskly for 10 consecutive minutes every day and you'll reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes or heart disease by 40%, and of premature death by 15%’!

* EAT APPROPRIATELY

The people I spoke to didn't have fast food outlets on every street corner or eat strawberries in December! They ate seasonal foods in appropriate amounts. It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain it's full. Promise yourself you can have seconds if you still want more in 20 minutes. You won't!

* BE SOCIABLE