Here’s some good news about getting older, out of Britain. A survey done for an insurance company of 1500 people finds that on average people over 50 lead fitter and more active lives than they did in their 20s.

The findings show they’re benefitting from better diets, more exercise and increased free time to focus on their health. Now that they’re free of the pressures of career-building and raising a family, they dedicate more time to keeping healthy, with 70 percent doing more exercise than in their youth.

A similar number paid more attention to their diet, eating much more fruit and vegetables and less take-out than they did when younger.

A quarter said exercise is an important part of their social lives. By comparison, nearly a third said that working long hours or looking after children had got in the way of their health and fitness when they were younger.

Bottom line, experts say, this shows turning 50 can be a new beginning, and a time when many people reflect on their health.