However there are also lots of little everyday habits you had no idea might be making you look and feel older.

Thankfully just a few simple changes are all you need to take back control.

Here we share our top tips to ensure you look and feel your best. 

TOO MUCH TV

While binge-watching box sets can be a fun way to pass cold winter evenings, spending hours slumped on the sofa slows the metabolism and affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure.

This can lead to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. A recent study found people who spent an average of six hours a day watching TV lived five years less than those who did not.

AGE SMART: When enjoying your favourite programme keep your body moving by getting up every half hour.

While sitting down, rotate your ankles and regularly lift your lower legs up and down to boost circulation.

RUBBING YOUR EYES

The skin around your eyes is one of the first areas to show signs of ageing.

This can be accelerated if you rub your eyes when removing make-up or when you’re feeling stressed or tired. Rubbing can break tiny blood vessels under the skin’s surface, causing dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles.

AGE SMART: Stop pulling and tugging at the skin around your eyes. Be gentle when cleansing and if eyes are irritated, resist the urge to rub them.

Instead apply a cold compress on the area for a minute or so to soothe.

SLEEPING IN THE WRONG POSITION

Poor sleep posture can cause back and neck pain. Sleeping curled up in a ball can restrict breathing, sleeping on the right side can cause heartburn and sleeping on the left side can put strain on internal organs including the liver, lungs and stomach.

Regularly sleeping on one side can also leave permanent pillow crease and wrinkles on the skin

AGE SMART: Try changing sides or better still, train yourself to sleep on your back. This position will help prevent facial wrinkles and breakouts from rubbing your skin on pillowcases.

Throw out any old, worn-out pillows as they will not support the head properly and invest in silk pillowcases to protect your skin.

TOO MUCH COFFEE

Caffeine increases blood pressure and also stimulates stress hormones which makes the body produce too much insulin, upsetting blood sugar levels.

Too much caffeine can also dehydrate the skin, causing inflammation, collagen loss, sagging and wrinkles. Research has shown that a cup of coffee or tea, even six hours before bedtime, can also disrupt sleep.

AGE SMART: It is recommended that you don’t exceed 400mg per day – a cup of tea contains around 75mg, an espresso around 70mg, a large black coffee around 300mg.

Sip more water and swap to green tea or herbal teas.

EATING LATE AT NIGHT

Regularly eating dinner or snacking after 8pm affects cholesterol levels, leads to weight gain and increases the chances of diabetes and heart disease.

The liver is most active during the day when it metabolises what we eat and drink however at night it slows down to conserve energy. In addition to this the body is less able to clear glucose from its circulation during the night because less insulin is produced to process it.

AGE SMART: The timing of meals can make a huge difference to your weight. Have a small meal or snack every three to four hours throughout the day to keep your metabolism fired up.

Don’t eat meals after 8pm but have a light snack before bed if it helps you sleep.

SCREEN OVERLOAD

The blue light emitted from smartphones and computers is known as high-energy visible light (HEV) and scientists believe it can penetrate the skin more deeply than UV rays from the sun. This can damage the complexion, causing pigmentation marks, enlarged pores and inflammation.

The light can also suppress the sleep hormone melatonin, making it hard to drift off when you go to bed.

AGE SMART: Take regular screen breaks. Go for a walk outside to top up vitamin D levels which will boost collagen and elastin, and don’t use technology for two hours before bed to give your brain a chance to wind down.

THE WRONG FATS

For good health it is essential to include some fat in our daily diet. Unfortunately most of us eat too much saturated fat, found in convenience and processed foods such as cakes, takeaways, ice cream and frying oils.

This triggers inflammation in the skin, causing premature ageing and wrinkles.

AGE SMART: When preparing meals pick good fats – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated – found in oily fish, avocados, soya and nuts. Use virgin cold-pressed olive oil but be careful not to heat it to smoking point as it will release toxic chemicals.

HOT HOUSES

When it’s cold it can be tempting to turn up the heating.

But a dry atmosphere leads to dehydrated and inflamed skin which over time can cause broken veins, rosacea, fine lines and wrinkles.

AGE SMART: Invest in a humidifier to help counteract dry air.

Alternatively placing a wet towel over a radiator or a bowl of cold water in the room will replace some of the lost moisture.

For advice on cosmetic surgery consult your GP.

For more of Lesley’s tips see lesleyreynolds.com