Older people who can do these 7 everyday things are in great shape

Everyone is getting older. That's a fact. As we edge further into our mature years (see: old), our bodies tend to let us know. From that stiffness you feel when rising from a chair to finding it difficult to catch a conversation in a crowd, these little changes indicate that we're no longer physically young. However, for those desperate to prolong their youth, certain everyday tasks and activities can indicate that a person's mind and body are in remarkable shape for their age. Intrigued? Metro spoke with Dr. Claire Merrifield, co-founder and Medical Director at Selph, to unpack seven mini tests and how, if you're able to do them in your 70s, 'you’re doing very well indeed'. Here's an idea of some things all of us should be aiming for, according to the expert... (Picture: Getty Images)

1. Get up from the floor with one hand supporting you

'If you can get up from the floor without using your hands in your 70s, it’s very impressive,' says Dr. Merrifield. However, what's more realistic at 70 and over is only using one hand to support you. The doctor explains that going from standing to sitting on the floor uses several muscle groups at once and demands good balance and coordination - all things that decline as we age. 'It’s easy to get into the habit of always pushing yourself up to stand with both hands, but your biggest muscle groups are in your legs and your buttocks, and it’s so important to keep them strong,' she says. Of course, don't worry about it too much if you can't; Dr. Merrifield recommends trying to gradually put weight through your hands when you’re standing and bring awareness to your lower body. 'It’s always a great idea to see if you can strengthen your leg muscles and glutes by doing squats and lunges and walking up and down stairs as often as you can' (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Remember why you went into a room

Regardless of age, it's common for all of us to forget why we went into a room from time to time. We're often thinking about multiple things at once and aren’t really focusing on what we’re doing. Dr. Merrifield says that attention and focus are things that can be trained, and as we get older we need to put more effort into this. 'If you never wander into a room and think ‘why am I here?’, that's a great sign that you’re able to focus for an extended period of time and recall memories,' she says. But, if it’s common for you to forget, there are things you can do to try and improve this. This includes being intentional. If you decide to go to the laundry room to grab a bin bag, then keep your mind on the bin bag. Draw a mental picture if you can, or keep repeating the phrase in your head. Be targeted on your way to the laundry room, don’t deviate or you’re likely to get distracted. 'Try to just do one task at a time, loading several things at once means we can easily lose sight of the original task,' Dr. Merrifield added (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Learn new tricks

Lots of what we do day-to-day, from banking to booking a doctor's appointment, is now done online, often on a smartphone. For many of us, including the older generation, it can be potentially daunting. However, it’s not actually true that an old dog can’t learn new tricks, puts Dr. Merrifield. In fact, research shows that older adults are perfectly capable of learning and completing complex tasks, although it may take slightly longer than when they were younger. 'Embracing new things and a beginner's mind is one of the best things we can do to age healthily, and it helps us in several ways,' explains the expert (Picture: Getty Images)

'Learning something new and challenging allows us to focus on one thing to the exclusion of others, which is important for focus and mental clarity.' It's true: we all know that getting tech to work is impossible if we're in a rush or frustrated. Dr. Merrifield says it's about cultivating mindfulness and calmness: have a cup of tea, take your time, and try to figure it out. Last and perhaps most importantly, she says that completing something challenging provides a sense of accomplishment and mastery. 'This keeps us independent and stops us feeling like a burden' (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Lift heavy objects off the floor

Whether it's lifting a heavy suitcase into an overhead locker on public transport, or moving the sofa to hoover behind it, physical strength is a fantastic sign of good health. It also means it’s so much easier to travel, knowing that you don’t have to wait for someone to help you with your bags, adds the expert. But more importantly, Dr. Merrifield says it means that if you needed to, you could help your partner off the floor or pick up a child in danger. 'It’s never too late to increase your strength, so if the idea of this seems difficult, speak to a doctor or personal trainer about strengthening your body' (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Balancing on one leg for a minute

According to Dr. Merrifield, one of the most dangerous things to happen to people over 70 is to fall over and break a hip. Many don't get over it, she says, revealing that it happens due to bones weakening as we age, which are more likely to break if we fall. 'Our muscles get weaker as we get older, meaning we have less cushioning, it’s harder to get up, and harder to stay upright in the first place,' the doctor adds. But it’s also because our ability to balance declines. Luckily, this is something you can train and Dr. Merrifield expresses how important it is to do so. 'If you can stand on one leg, like a flamingo, unsupported, for a minute, that’s brilliant. It may seem simple, but there are huge amounts of coordination and muscle control involved in standing on one leg, and it’s so good for your brain to do this.' A good tip is to aim to stand on one leg while you’re brushing your teeth and alternate which leg you stand on every time you brush. We so know everyone will be trying this tonight… (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Push past the puff

'If you’re over 70 and can push through the pain of feeling puffed out, I salute you,' says Dr. Merrifield. As we age, it’s natural for exercise to become harder, whether it's strength training, yoga, or even going for a long walk. The doctor states that if we accept these boundaries and don’t keep trying to push against them, we’ll eventually end up feeling puffed out walking from the couch to the fridge. The expert says: 'Whenever you feel the puff, push a bit more. The most physically active older adults are the ones who have the best quality of life, so even if you don’t get puffed out today, tomorrow is a new day, and it’s never too late to start.' Wise and inspiring words (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Look for the silver lining

It’s so easy for us as humans to find the negative in everything we do. 'It’s how we’re wired, we have a negativity bias,' Dr. Merrifield says. However, there's heaps of research showing that people who have a positive outlook and response to difficult situations enjoy their life more and are healthier than those who complain about it. 'As we age, it becomes harder to find the positives, our bodies don’t work as well and may be painful,' she says, adding that our minds may not be as quick as they once were, either. So we have to look harder for the silver lining, which Dr. Merrifield says is worth it. Studies show that people who practice gratitude are happier and healthier, with better biomarkers of heart disease, better sleep and reduced stress levels (Picture: Getty Images)

Furthermore, the doctor says that people want to be around positive people. 'It’s inspiring to be with an older adult who sees the positives in life. We all want to enjoy our old age. If you feel you could be more positive, it’s never too late to start.' Keen to turn that frown upside down? Dr Merrifield suggests starting a gratitude journal. Once a day, write a list of things that were good about your day that you’re grateful for. It might be something as simple as having clean sheets on your bed or a nice meal to eat, or looking at the clouds in the sky (Picture: Getty Images)