Longevity is influenced by a combination of factors, including genetics, diet, exercise and lifestyle choices.
An 86-year-old man has shared his secret to living a long, healthy life, crediting a habit he picked up during his army days.
Peter Thomas spoke on his TikTok account (@PeterHThomas) about how his main priority has always been his health.
He said: "I watch everything I put in my mouth and work out daily. I was very lucky. When I was in the service, you had to work out.
The 86-year-old said he got used to working out in the army and stuck with it
TikTok/PeterHThomas
"You had to do your drills and all your training. After seven years, it became part of my everyday custom."
Exercising became a "habit" for the octogenarian, and he encourages others to work out regularly, too.
Peter advised: "If you do not have a regular workout programme, change that and make health one of the most important things you [focus on] every day. Your health is the most important asset that you have. Look after it."
An article published in the National Library of Medicine confirmed that exercise is a longevity booster. Experts noted: "Physical activity reduces many major mortality risk factors including arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer."
At 86, Peter is still full of life and has no intention of retiring. He said: "I will never retire. Retirement is just a word. What I do with my life is have a whole bunch of fun.
"I feel that I have a purpose. It is a huge need that you fulfil your own way. Think about whether you are doing good and giving back."
Peter finds his purpose through his one-minute series on social media, which he described as an "adventure".
He added: "I am blessed and honoured that I can give back at this time and have so much fun doing it."
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'Your health is the most important asset that you have'
TikTok/PeterHThomas
The 86-year-old encouraged people to focus on what they want to do and find a sense of purpose for motivation.
Peter said: "So, what will you do to have fun, enjoy and be passionately involved in your later years of life? You have to have a purpose; if you keep your purpose, that is your retirement."
An 81-year-old has recently shared his secret to old age, naming a longevity-boosting activity he does every morning.
The octogenarian writes down his thoughts and aims to be "one per cent better" than the day before.
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