Whether you're in your 30s or your 60s+, here are some hints and tips to help you keep every decade as healthy as possible, so that like wine and cheese you actually improve with age. Banish the idea that there's nothing good about getting older, and make each decade a good and positive one! Here are some tips and advice, some of which you already know about, and some you possibly hadn't thought of before.

30s/40s.

1. Don't overdo the sunbathing! Not only can it lead to serious skin damage, but if you want to live healthily in to your 60s and over, then you want to keep your appearance as fresh as possible, and excessive exposure to the sun's harmful rays will inevitably lead to wrinkles and dry skin. So always use a sunscreen.

2. Stopping smoking can cut your risk of dying from smoking-related illness by 90%+, according to the US National Cancel Institute.

3. Start taking vitamin supplements, because it's now that a race begins between the rate bone is broken down and new bone is formed, so in addition to your careful exposure to the sun's rays, follow a diet with plenty calcium to help keep your bones in trim, and start taking a supplement of Vitamin D. Keep those G & Ts, or glasses of red wine to a moderate, sensible level. Do some regular form of exercise, to reduce the risk of heart disease. Join a dancing class, or a walking group - your exercise doesn't have to be gym-based!

4. Lose weight. It will help you to look better, feel better, and it will cut the risk of all sorts of possible health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. It needn't be a hard-to-maintain diet plan - there are many perfectly safe products available now to help you. Keep your Body Mass Index within safe limits (some pharmacies will measure this for you, as will most Practice Centre/surgery nurses, keep up your regular exercising. Ask your GP, or try one of the safe, natural products. They do work.

5. And if you didn't have this one done when you were younger - have your teeth straightened and/or whitened, now a routine procedure for those in their 30s & 40s, and you'll not only smile much more, which will make you feel much more upbeat, but it'll make a huge difference to how you look.

50s:

6. Now here's a surprise for you. Carry on enjoying that glass of red wine for its heart-protective benefits, of course, but if you've decided to become teetotal, US researchers have discovered that 70% chocolate contains flavonoids which are just as beneficial. But remember - moderation in all things! Start planning now if you're to retire in your 60s. Look at new leisure activities such as hobbies or interests you haven't had time for up till now, try new-style holidays - they needn't be expensive cruises, or anything too "cool" like bungee jumping courses, but perhaps join groups with similar interests, or visit places you'd previously never even considered. If you've never had the time, or the inclination, to enjoy reading good books, then think about joining the local library. Try going to some concerts and performances you've never had the time, or the interest in, before - you won't enjoy them all, but at least you're setting up the selection process for your retirement programme.

60s+:

7. Now you should be doing some of the things you want to do rather than the things you've had to do. So if you want to sit down in the afternoon and have a siesta, sit down and have a siesta. If you feel like having a day "chilling out", then have such a day. You've earned it. Relax over as many cups of coffee as you like, and actually savour and enjoy the aroma and flavour. Researchers in France have found that those of 65 and over who drank 3 or more coffees a day did far better in memory tests than those who had only one cup, or didn't drink any coffee at all. Keep up your regular exercise and even if you're not able to do all the things you used to, don't succumb to the idea that you're too old.

8. Remember, age is only a number, and the purpose of this article is to remind you of that -keep an active mind, enjoy the company and stimulation of children and young adults (they'll keep you "up to speed" with all the jargon, all the latest gadgets, and bedazzle you with their dexterity and knowledge of technology). Take vitamin and mineral supplements but be careful where you buy them, and read the labels carefully to see the actual percentages. Similarly, get used to using natural, alternative products to help keep your mind and body healthy.

9. And now that you no longer have to cope with the stress-related problems of the daily grind, now that you've left the negative comments and criticisms of the workplace behind, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to separate out concern from worry and how your emotional well-being will improve.

US researchers have found that the longer you live, the happier you're likely to be, because you've been there, done it, got the t-shirt!