![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2272033368-112a.jpg\")
\n\t\tSome things are inevitable as we age (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tSome things are inevitable as we age (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Most of us have at some point wished we could turn back the clock to when we were wrinkle-free and could drink more than two glasses of wine without a hangover the next day.<\/p>\n
But ageing is a gift, and there\u2019s a certain wisdom that only comes with experience.<\/p>\n
While you might not be thrilled by every change that comes with getting older, some things are a natural part of entering that next stage of life.<\/p>\n
Dr Babak Ashrafi, GP at Superdrug Online Doctor<\/a> tells Metro the subtle signs that show you\u2019re officially getting older.<\/p>\n You\u2019re waking up more during the night<\/p>\n Remember the glory days, when you were a teenager, and you could sleep well past noon, or fall asleep at the drop of a hat?<\/p>\n According to Dr Ashrafi, changes to sleep can be one of the less obvious signs of ageing, from waking up more often and waking up earlier than you used to<\/a>, to struggling to fall asleep in the first place.<\/p>\n \u2018Our sleep can naturally change as we age, and we may spend less time in deeper stages of sleep,\u2019 he tells Metro.<\/p>\n This is in part due to how the body produces fewer sleep-promoting hormones such as melatonin and cortisol over time, along with biological shifts in the internal body clock (the suprachiasmatic nucleus).<\/p>\n However, Dr Ashrafi stresses that \u2018regularly struggling to fall or stay asleep shouldn\u2019t automatically be dismissed as \u201cjust getting older\u201d,\u2019 and if your issues are persistent, you should seek advice from a medical professional.<\/p>\n Your libido isn\u2019t what it used to be<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just juggling the responsibilities of being a \u2018grown up\u2019 that make sex less of a priority as we age.<\/p>\n Dr Ashrafi says libido often declines over time, with hormones playing a major role.<\/p>\n In men, it can be due to the fact that \u2018testosterone levels tend to decline gradually,\u2019 while for women, oestrogen and testosterone levels drop sharply during perimenopause and menopause<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t That said, there may also be a number of other factors behind it, including stress, sleep, medication, and health conditions.<\/p>\n \u2018If you\u2019ve noticed a significant change in your libido, particularly alongside symptoms such as fatigue or erectile difficulties, it\u2019s worth discussing this with a professional rather than assuming age is the only explanation,\u2019 he adds.<\/p>\n You\u2019re noticing changes in your erections<\/p>\n Naturally, this one only applies to those with a penis, but erectile difficulties<\/a> can become increasingly difficult with age. Again though, they shouldn\u2019t necessarily be accepted as an inevitable part of getting older.<\/p>\n \u2018Occasional difficulty getting or maintaining an erection is common, but if it happens regularly it\u2019s worth seeking medical advice,\u2019 Dr Ashrafi explains.<\/p>\n \u2018Erectile dysfunction can have psychological causes, but it can also be associated with physical health issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u2018In some cases, it can be an early prompt to look more closely at your wider cardiovascular health.\u2019<\/p>\n Your blood pressure starts creeping up<\/p>\n When we\u2019re young, many of us take healthy blood pressure for granted, and would never so much as think about visiting the doctor to get it checked. But once you\u2019ve acquired a few extra birthdays, you need to keep an eye.<\/p>\n Dr Ashrafi says you might even feel \u2018perfectly healthy\u2019 while your blood pressure is slowly increasing, because sometimes, it doesn\u2019t cause noticeable symptoms.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018Blood vessels naturally become less flexible as we age, which is one reason our risk of high blood pressure can increase,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n \u2018The difficulty is that you often won\u2019t know your blood pressure is high unless you check it. <\/p>\n \u2018Knowing your numbers and having them checked regularly is an important part of looking after your long-term cardiovascular health.\u2019<\/p>\n Ideally, a healthy adult should aim for less than 120 mm Hg systolic (top number) and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number).<\/p>\n Your cholesterol levels change<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re still eating just as healthily as you used to, and nothing\u2019s changed with your diet, cholesterol levels can still change with time.<\/p>\n Age can impact it, as can genetics, diet, activity levels, and other health conditions. <\/p>\n There aren\u2019t usually any obvious symptoms, either, which makes testing particularly important.<\/p>\n Dr Ashrafi says: \u2018Identifying raised cholesterol gives you an opportunity to make lifestyle changes and, where necessary, discuss treatment before it contributes to more serious cardiovascular problems.\u2019<\/p>\n You\u2019re finding it harder to maintain the same weight<\/p>\n When you\u2019re in your teens or early 20s, you likely never considered that, in the future, your weight might begin to creep up despite your habits staying the same.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tHow do you feel about the signs of ageing?<\/p>\n I embrace them as a natural part of life.Check<\/p>\n I find them concerning and try to prevent them.Check<\/p>\n I’m indifferent; they don’t bother me.Check<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s The Slice newsletter for your guide to what’s on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.<\/p>\n Dr Ashrafi says that this is typically down to how our bodies lose muscle mass with age \u2014 which can be more of an issue if you have a sedentary lifestyle. <\/p>\n \u2018Because muscle uses energy, this can affect how many calories your body needs,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n \u2018Maintaining muscle through regular resistance exercise, alongside staying active and eating a balanced diet, becomes increasingly important.\u2019<\/p>\n You need longer to recover after exercise<\/p>\n Unfortunately, even those of us who stay active can\u2019t escape the hands of time, and while most of us feel a little achy after a workout, it\u2019s standard to feel even stiffer as the years go by.<\/p>\n \u2018Recovery can take longer as we get older, but that doesn\u2019t mean you should stop challenging your body,\u2019 Dr Ashrafi continues.<\/p>\n \u2018Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to support healthy ageing. <\/p>\n \u2018A combination of cardiovascular activity, resistance training and mobility work can help maintain muscle, bone health and cardiovascular fitness.\u2019<\/p>\n What can I do now to help myself age gracefully?<\/p>\n We all know of someone with an absolutely fierce grandparent, usually in their 90s, who is still going strong<\/a>.<\/p>\n And while some healthy ageing does come down to genetics (studies suggest at least 20 to 30% of it is genes alone), it\u2019s also influenced by the healthy habits you build throughout your life.<\/p>\n You\u2019re never too young to start, either. <\/p>\n Dr Ashrafi suggests all the classic tick-box habits, including regular exercise<\/a>, a balanced diet, good-quality sleep, refraining from smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and keeping on top of all your GP checks.<\/p>\n He concludes: \u2018Prevention is particularly important because conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol may not cause noticeable symptoms. <\/p>\n \u2018Getting into the habit of knowing your key health numbers and seeking advice when something changes can help you take action earlier.\u2019<\/p>\n Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Over](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-926844612-59a1.jpg\")
\n\t\tMany signs of ageing can\u2019t be seen in the mirror (Picture: Getty Images\/Image Source)<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_309794415-d65b.jpg\")
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