Retirement - What Now?
30 July 2012
Are you close to retirement? You’ve worked all your life and now it's time to retire.
Now we all want to live a happy, healthy retirement and older life but how do we do this?
I've heard many stories from a lot of my retired and older patients and I've come to the same conclusion.
The key to staying healthier and having less aches and pains is to keep going. Keep active. Just because you are now retired doesn't mean it's time to stop. Our minds, our bodies need to work. As the old phrase goes, use it or lose it!!
I know some men and woman who are busier now that they have retired due to grandchildren and travelling. They are in brilliant health probably because of this.
Now is the time to do the things that you always wanted to do. Travel and go see the places that you always wanted.
Learn a new skill, take guitar lessons or go to the local college and take a night class in something that interests you.
Do crosswords, puzzles, Sudoku, read books that interest you.
Have a good healthy diet. Eat your fruit and vegetables. Be wary of highly saturated fatty foods. Make sure to include omega 3 fish oil as this is good for the heart and good for the mind!
Be active if possible. Now I'm not saying to go and do an intense exercise class. I'm saying to go walk or cycle to the shops, do some gardening/DIY or do a bit of housework. This keeps you active.
If you are able to be active then do so. Some of us may have health problems in which there are certain things we can't do but if you are fairly fit and healthy, and able to do most tasks, then do so!
So the key to staying as healthy as possible for as long as possible is to keep going like you haven't retired at all.