Forgetting people’s names, groaning when you bend down and falling asleep in front of the TV are among the signs you’re getting old, according to research.
A poll of 2,000 adults also found needing an afternoon nap, finding it tricky to sit cross-legged and choosing comfort over style are indicators you’re getting on a bit.
Complaining more often, declaring you’re ‘gasping’ for a cup of tea and feeling flattered when you get asked for ID when visiting a bar also made the list.
Other warnings include preferring a night in with a board game, knowing your alcohol limit and struggling with technology.
The study, 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 41 as the age adults typically start exhibiting these signs, with 57 the point at which people consider themselves to be ‘officially old’.
While waving goodbye to their youth, 47 per cent said losing their memory is their biggest worry about getting old, with 29 per cent concerned about the impact ageing will have on their fitness.
More than one third are fretting about becoming lonely as they get older and one in five are agonising over whether they will retain their looks with age.
And nearly half agreed they feel ‘old before their time’.
But the saying “you’re only as old as you feel” is true for three in four, with more than half of adults feeling younger than their actual age.
Millions also admit to making significant lifestyle changes to try and increase their lifespan, typically pulling their finger out by age 40.
Making changes to their diet is the most popular lifestyle change with others cutting back on bad habits such as drinking and smoking or even giving them up all together.
Taking up new sports and opting to cook with healthy spices are also among the ways people try to turn back the clock.
But 28 per cent admit getting old isn’t as bad as they thought it would be.
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 old:
1. Forgetting people’s names
2. Losing hair
3. Feeling stiff
4. Talking a lot about your joints/ailments
5. Groaning when you bend down
6. Not knowing any songs in the top ten
7. Misplacing your glasses/ bag/ car keys etc
8. Getting more hairy – ears, eyebrows, nose, face etc.
9. Avoid lifting heavy things due to back concerns
10. Saying ‘in my day’
11. Finding it tricky to sit cross-legged on the floor
12. Hating noisy pubs
13. Choosing clothes and shoes for comfort rather than style
14. Falling asleep in front of the TV every night
15. Thinking policemen/teachers/doctors look really young
16. Falling ill more often
17. Saying “it wasn’t like that when I was young”
18. Complaining about more things
19. Needing an afternoon nap
20. Feeling tired the moment you wake up
21. Struggling to use technology
22. Finding you have no idea what ‘young people’ are talking about
23. Having colleagues who are so young they don’t know what a cassette tape is
24. Losing touch with everyday technology such as tablets and TVs
25. Complaining about the rubbish on television these days
26. Spending time comparing illnesses and injuries with friends
27. Your friends are all ill more often
28. Not knowing or remembering the name of any modern bands
29. You consider going on a ‘no children’ cruise for a holiday
30. You know your alcohol limit
31. Struggling to think of anything worse than going to a music festival
32. Never going out without your coat
33. Putting everyday items in the wrong place
34. You move from Radio 1 to Radio 2
35. You start driving very slowly
36. You struggle to lose weight easily
37. Buying a smart phone but having no idea how to do anything other than make phone calls on it
38. You say ‘I’m gasping for a cup of tea’
39. Spending more money on face creams / anti-ageing products
40. Falling asleep after one glass of wine
41. Feeling you have the right to tell people exactly what you are thinking, even if it isn’t polite
42. You like getting asked for ID
43. Paying by cash or cheque rather than using your card
44. Preferring a night in with a board game than a night on the town
45. Being told off for politically incorrect opinions
46. Joining the National Trust
47. Your ears are getting bigger
48. Preferring a Sunday walk to a lie in
49. You think, ‘maybe I’ll drive instead of drink’
50. Drinking sherry.
