Share the secrets of young-at-heart celebs

Sheila Hancock, 76, actress

The secret? Learn to embrace change.

Since losing her husband John Thaw to cancer in 2002, Sheila has gradually come to terms with widowhood by throwing herself into new experiences, such as travelling alone. ‘Looking back from a great old age, you have to accept that change constantly happens, and embrace the change rather than try to ignore it,' she says. Sheila was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988, but made a full recovery. ‘It made me more determined to enjoy life while I had it,' she later recalled. ‘On a practical level, I did improve my diet, take time to rest and try not to get stressed out over ridiculous, unimportant things. But most importantly, I made a conscious effort to live in the moment.'

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