t is an unlikely solution, but here is the key to stay young: have short bursts of stress!

This is a new revelation suggested by researchers at an anti-ageing conference in London.

They say short bursts of stress can help you stay young.

According to The Telgraph, Dr Marios Kyriazis, who led the conference, said this exposure to stress will prolong life and help prevent chronic illnesses, like arthritis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Kyriazis, the medical director of the British Longevity Society, argued that moderate stress increases the production of proteins that help repair the body's cells, including brain cells, enabling them to work at peak capacity.

"Research shows that cells subjected to stress repair themselves, allowing us to live longer. As the body ages, this self-repair mechanism starts to slow down. The best way to keep the process working efficiently is to 'exercise it', in the same way that you would exercise your muscles to keep them strong," he added.

Other stressful activities: giving a best man's speech, following the instruction manual for a new DVD recorder, volunteering to help at a youth club and redecorating a room over a weekend.