When you enter retirement, you close one chapter of your life and begin another. You go from having a structured, busy schedule to having almost limitless free time. But just because you have an empty schedule doesn’t mean you have to slow down. Here are 6 ways to stay healthy in retirement.
1. Find A New Purpose
For most of us, our jobs are our identity. Take that away, and it’s difficult to know how to move forward. Thankfully, retirement is a time to reinvent ourselves and find a new purpose.
Volunteer at your local food bank on the weekends. Pick up a part-time job at your local library. Start that passion project you’ve always dreamed of. Choose anything that interests you and it will have a positive impact on your quality of life.
2. Stay Socially Connected
It’s normal for new retirees to go through a period of loneliness after they leave their jobs. After all, most of our closest friends end up being those we’ve worked with for decades. Think about how you want to stay socially connected with your peers, and then make it happen.
Maybe you want to go on nightly walks with a neighbor, join a book club, or get more involved with your local church. You don’t have to fill every slot on your calendar with a social event, but you should make an effort to stay connected with the people that matter most to you.
3. Eat Healthy Food
We all know we should eat well, but it becomes even more important as you age. Studies show that a healthy diet leads to: (1)
- Increased mental awareness (so you can keep up with your kids and grandkids)
- Higher energy levels (so you can mark off all those items on your bucket list)
- Stronger resistance to illness and disease (so you can keep living on your own as long as possible)
The key is to eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet. You don’t have to cut out everything you love, but make sure you’re eating proper servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting your sugar intake.
4. Get (Physically & Mentally) Active
Studies show that even light to moderate exercise helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. (2) To stay healthy in retirement, look for ways to stay physically and mentally active. Start up a garden in your backyard. Do household repairs yourself if you know how. Offer to mow your neighbor’s grass. Even small activities can have a major impact on your physical health.
Stay mentally sharp by constantly challenging your brain in new ways. Do crossword puzzles and sudokus. Take a class at your local community college. Offer up your 30+ years of industry experience by consulting with up-and-coming businesses.
5. Get Regular Check-Ups
One of the best ways to stay healthy in retirement is to have regular checkups with your doctor. This includes annual physicals, eye exams, teeth cleanings—the whole nine yards. If you do develop a disease down the road, you’ll be much more likely to catch it early if you take these preventative measures now.
6. Adopt A Pet
You might be shocked at just how much a pet can improve your health. Studies show that spending just 15 minutes with your dog can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and your heart rate. (3) Plus, it decreases feelings of loneliness and stress levels. And if that wasn’t already good enough, another perk to owning a pup is that all those frequent walks force you to stay active (even if you’d much rather be watching your favorite TV show on the couch).
How We Help
Staying healthy is just one component of living your ideal life in retirement. Another is making sure you have enough money to live the life you envision for yourself. If you’d like to talk to a financial professional about whether you’re on track to retire, we at Wurz Financial Services would love to chat with you. Schedule a no-obligation consultation, and together let’s find out if we’re the right people for you to depend on during your journey to a comfortable retirement. Contact us at 859-291-9879 or dpw@wurzfinancialservices.com today!
Also, join us at one or both of our free webinars:
- Social Security 101: The 3 Rules To Maximize Your Lifetime Retirement Benefits!
- Will I Have Enough To Retire?
About Darren
Darren Wurz is a co-owner and financial planner at Wurz Financial Services, an independent, family-owned and operated financial services firm dedicated to helping its clients transition from their working life to a comfortable retirement with confidence. Darren received his master’s of science in financial planning from Golden Gate University and also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation. He operates the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati office of Wurz Financial Services and is an active member of the Covington, KY rotary club, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and the Covington Business Council. To learn more about Darren, connect with him on LinkedIn.
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(1) https://retirehappy.ca/retire-healthy-by-eating-right/
(2) https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/prevention
(3) https://www.captel.com/2018/02/health-benefits-pets-for-seniors/