Updated

Updated · Manchester Evening News · Aug 17

Health Experts Urge 3 Daily Habits for Longer Healthspan, Including 8 Hours of Sleep

Updated

Updated · Manchester Evening News · Aug 17

Health Experts Urge 3 Daily Habits for Longer Healthspan, Including 8 Hours of Sleep

Q: What hidden danger makes hydration a critical anti-aging secret for older adults who never feel thirsty?

The hidden danger is that many older adults lose the normal sensation of thirst, so they can become dehydrated without noticing it. Experts say this makes hydration especially important in later life because by the time an older person feels thirsty, dehydration may already be developing. Ageing also changes how the body handles water. Older adults tend to have lower total body water, and their kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluid. Common conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and dementia can raise the risk further, as can medications including diuretics, laxatives and some blood pressure drugs. Heat, illness, vomiting and diarrhoea can quickly worsen the problem. That matters because dehydration in older adults does more than cause dry mouth. Even mild dehydration can impair concentration, energy, balance and mood. More serious dehydration can trigger dizziness, confusion, weakness, dark urine, low blood pressure, faster heart rate, falls, delirium, kidney strain and hospitalisation. In older people, confusion may be one of the earliest warning signs. This is why clinicians call hydration a basic longevity habit rather than a wellness “hack.” The practical message is not to wait for thirst. Older adults are generally advised to aim for about six to eight glasses of fluid a day unless a doctor has set a different limit, and to use routines, reminders, easy access to drinks and water-rich foods to stay ahead of dehydration.

3 articles · Updated · Manchester Evening News · Aug 17

Three everyday habits — regular movement, enough water and consistent sleep — were highlighted by health experts as practical ways to extend healthspan, not just lifespan.
Sara Hägg of Karolinska Institute said short walks of about 10 minutes in the morning and after lunch, plus taking stairs, can build activity across the day without long gym sessions.
Aliya Porter called hydration a non-negotiable, noting water supports heart, bladder, gut and skin health; the NHS advises 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid daily.
Sleep emerged as the top priority for several experts, with GP Eidn Mahmoudzadeh stressing quality over a fixed target and warning that obsessing over trackers can worsen sleep anxiety.
Cancer researcher Caroline Dive also prioritizes 8 hours a night, reinforcing the broader message that simple, repeatable routines matter more than longevity hacks.