Why carrying spuds, playing sudoku could be good measures of your overall health

WHILE ageing is inevitable, ageing well is something we can influence.

- CATHERINE NORTON AND GRAINNE HAYES, UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK

It's not just about the number of candles on your birthday cake - it's whether you've got the puff to blow them out, the balance to carry the cake and the memory to remember why you're celebrating.

AS we age, our bodies change. Muscle mass shrinks, bones weaken, reaction times slow. But that doesn't mean we're all destined for a future of walking frames and daytime TV.

Ageing well isn't about staying wrinkle-free - it's about staying independent, mobile, mentally sharp and socially connected.

In gerontology, there's a saying: we want to add life to years, not just years to life. That means focusing on quality - being able to do what you love, move freely, think clearly and enjoy time with others.

There's no one-size-fits-all definition, but some simple home tests can give you a good idea. No fancy lab required - just a toothbrush, a stopwatch and a sense of humour.

Balance

One fun (and surprisingly useful) way to test your balance is to stand on one leg while brushing your teeth. If you can do this for 30 seconds or more (eyes open), that's a great sign of lower-body strength, coordination, and postural stability.

A 2022 study found that people who couldn't balance on one leg for ten seconds had an 84 per cent higher risk of death over a median follow-up of seven years compared than those who could.