How to live TO 100!

Unlock a long and healthy life with these simple lifestyle tweaks

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Did you know the average life expectancy in the UK is 83 years* for women? Not bad, you might say, but we fall behind Australia, France, Japan and Spain, among several others. But the good news is making just a few small changes could make a big difference and help you live a longer, more fulfilling life – even make it to 100.

Prioritise the essentials

Give yourself a fighting chance of reaching a century by getting the basics right…

MOVE MORE

Countless studies link exercise to better ageing. In particular, women who can exercise vigorously are at significantly lower risk of heart disease and cancer**. This includes walking, swimming and even walking up the stairs, so skip taking the lift and start building some stamina.

DITCH THE BRITISH DIET

Swap the average UK diet – which is high in red meat and processed foods – for more fish, beans, grains and nuts. This ‘optimal’ diet can add 10 years if you start young, and eight to nine years if you switch at 60, found a Norwegian study.

HAVE SMALLER PORTIONS

Inhabitants of Okinawa, Japan – famed for having one of the world’s largest proportions of centenarians – regularly practise ‘hara hachi bu’, meaning they stop eating when they’re 80% full. Eating slowly will help your brain know when this is.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT