Holiday firm TUI found that pensioners actually ‘feel’ 13.5 years younger

Britons do not see themselves as ‘old’ until they hit 76 according to a new study – which reveals the key tricks to feeling young for longer.

Research carried out among over 60s by holiday firm TUI found that despite being older and experienced, pensioners actually ‘feel’ on average 13.5 years younger.

Almost nine in 10 (88 percent) of the 1,000 respondents said they felt “young at heart”, with baby boomers especially  embracing life with 12 percent adopting ‘You Only Live Once’ as their mantra.

Additionally, almost one in 10 older Brits are enjoying a new lease of life during their golden years, which began at the age of 60.

Averaging out the age of respondents who admitted they don’t feel old at all, researchers found the age when this mindset switched was 76 – and prior to that they felt on average 13.5 years younger than they were.

Regionally, seniors based in the North West (92 percent) and Scotland (90 per cent) are the most ‘young at heart’ (national average 88 percent).

When asked what made them still ‘feel youthful’, participants credited their grandchildren (40 percent), exercise (37 percent) and spending time with younger people (32 percent).

Other keys to staying young include listening to modern music (26 percent) and keeping up to date with loved ones and general news on social media (14 percent).

The researchers also found those that felt young had tried adrenaline-fuelled activities in the past decade, like music gigs, riding a horse, a motorcycle and riding a mountain bike.

In fact, 32 percent of the 1,000 respondents still considered themselves “thrill-seekers” – although 25 percent admitted they have never tried a water slide.

To celebrate the water-loving ‘silver surfers’, TUI is offering one lucky ‘First Time Senior Slider’ a family break to make memories in Turkey this July – where they will also get to hurtle down a waterslide for the first time.

To enter they only need visit https://www.tui.co.uk/content-First-Time-Senior-Slider

Richard Sofer, commercial Director at TUI UK&I, explained: “We love the positive mentality and adventure-seeking nature of so many older Brits.

“Far from just easing themselves into the twilight years, this generation are truly living life to the full.

“To mark the centenary of the waterslide, we wanted to celebrate our 30 Splashworld resorts and give someone young at heart an amazing first-time experience with their family and create life-long memories.”