'Gasping' for a cuppa and 49 more sure fire signs you're getting old
Regularly nod off mid Netflix binge? Struggle to remember people’s names? Can’t help but groan when you have to bend down?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and all, but these are all signs you’re on the slippery slope to old age.
According to a poll of 2,000 adults other indicators you’re ageing include needing an afternoon nap, finding it tricky to sit cross-legged and choosing comfort over style (hello Crocs, goodbye heels.)
Complaining more often, declaring you’re ‘gasping’ for a cup of tea and feeling flattered (read: grateful) when you get asked for ID in the pub also made the list.
While other warnings you’re getting on a bit include preferring a night playing a board game over a night on the tiles (Who doesn’t love a tense game of Monopoly?), knowing your alcohol limit (just say no to the Porn Star Martini) and struggling with technology (‘How do you do emojis again?’)
Your music tastes and social life are also red flags that you’re over the hill with switching from Radio 1 to Radio 2 and refusing to go to festivals both serving as indicators of old age.
Swapping a vat of Prosecco for a nice glass of Sherry is also a sure fire sign you’re on the slippery slope.
The survey, commissioned by Future You to highlight the benefits of Turmeric+ tablets, also found feeling stiff and talking about your joints a lot featured in the top fifty signs you’re growing old.
A spokesman said: “It’s fascinating to see nearly half the nation considers joint pain and stiffness a sign of growing age.
“In fact, knees came out as one of the most common body parts giving Brits physical discomfort so it’s important you take care of yourself regardless of your age.”
Researchers named the surprisingly young, 41 ,as the age adults typically start exhibiting these ageing signs, with 57 the point at which people consider themselves to be ‘officially old’. Yikes!
While saying cheerio to their youth, almost half of those surveyed (47 per cent) said losing their memory is their biggest worry about getting old, with almost a third (29 per cent) worried about the impact ageing will have on their fitness.
More than one in three are concerned about loneliness in their old age, while for a fifth the fear of losing their looks takes precedent.
Nearly half of those polled admit to feeling old before their time, but three in four say they feel younger than their actual age proving there could be some truth in the saying ‘you’re only as old as you feel’.
For many sitting around and waiting for the years to creep by just isn’t an option and in fact many are making lifestyle changes to try and increase their lifespan, typically by age 40.
Overhauling the diet is the most popular lifestyle change, with others cutting back on bad habits such as drinking and smoking or even quitting altogether.
A spokesman for Turmeric+ added: “It’s interesting to see a number of Brits are making a conscious effort to reverse the ageing process, by recognising the benefits of natural ingredients and taking food supplements.”
Top 50 signs you’re getting old:
Forgetting people’s names
Losing hair
Feeling stiff
Talking a lot about your joints/ailments
Groaning when you bend down
Not knowing any songs in the top ten
Misplacing your glasses/ bag/ car keys etc
Getting more hairy – ears, eyebrows, nose, face etc.
Avoid lifting heavy things due to back concerns
Saying ‘in my day’
Finding it tricky to sit cross-legged on the floor
Hating noisy pubs
Choosing clothes and shoes for comfort rather than style
Falling asleep in front of the TV every night
Thinking policemen/teachers/doctors look really young
Falling ill more often
Saying “it wasn’t like that when I was young”
Complaining about more things
Needing an afternoon nap
Feeling tired the moment you wake up
Struggling to use technology
Finding you have no idea what ‘young people’ are talking about
Having colleagues who are so young they don’t know what a cassette tape is
Losing touch with everyday technology such as tablets and TVs
Complaining about the rubbish on television these days
Spending time comparing illnesses and injuries with friends
Your friends are all ill more often
Not knowing or remembering the name of any modern bands
You consider going on a ‘no children’ cruise for a holiday
You know your alcohol limit
Struggling to think of anything worse than going to a music festival
Never going out without your coat
Putting everyday items in the wrong place
You move from Radio 1 to Radio 2
You start driving very slowly
You struggle to lose weight easily
Buying a smart phone but having no idea how to do anything other than make phone calls on it
You say ‘I’m gasping for a cup of tea’
Spending more money on face creams / anti-ageing products
Falling asleep after one glass of wine
Feeling you have the right to tell people exactly what you are thinking, even if it isn’t polite
You like getting asked for ID
Paying by cash or cheque rather than using your card
Preferring a night in with a board game than a night on the town
Being told off for politically incorrect opinions
Joining the National Trust
Your ears are getting bigger
Preferring a Sunday walk to a lie in
You think, ‘maybe I’ll drive instead of drink’
Drinking sherry
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