The "Deja Vu" actor, who turns 52 on Thursday (Dec 28, 2006), allowed himself to be stressed out by work commitments when he was younger but that stopped when he hit the landmark age.

He said: "I realized that worrying about everything wasn't going to change anything except give me an ulcer."

"For years, I was frantically busy and suddenly I realized I was already there and didn't need to sweat so much."

"The time to worry about flying is when you're still on the ground. When you' re up in the air, it's too late."

Washington insists he is enjoying life more than ever now he is in his 50s.

He said: "My life's pretty good. No need to change anything. I'm living life to the fullest in may own way - keeping things simple."