The Importance of Self-Care During Retirement

When you are getting ready for retirement, it can be exciting to think about spending your days traveling, enjoying time with family, and doing the things you love. One of the best ways to help ensure that you will be in the best condition to enjoy these years, is by adopting regular health practices. Here are some considerations about the importance of self-care during retirement:

Exercise

You would be hard-pressed to find an age group who would not benefit from regular exercise.  For senior adults, physical fitness has particular health benefits. If you don’t already have a fitness regimen, getting one started can be an excellent way to help ensure that you will be able to enjoy the years to come in the best health possible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), routine physical activity is a critical component of healthy aging and can help delay or prevent many chronic diseases in adults aged 50 and older. This may include conditions such as stroke, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and depression. Physical fitness can also help delay the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia. Being active can improve muscle strength balance and flexibility, which can help prevent falls and other injuries that happen more frequently as people age.

Intellectual Stimulation

For some, being employed may have involved routine problem-solving and engaging in mentally challenging tasks.  Leaving the working world and entering retirement can be a drastic change from this level of intellectual stimulation. However, you should not let your mind atrophy.  By keeping the brain active can help delay brain cell loss and contribute to your cerebral health. Choose an activity that challenges you and that you find enjoyable, such as reading, completing a daily crossword puzzle, surveying a college course, or a taking community-based learning class.

Social Activity

For many, work not only supplies a means of income, but it also provides a place to socialize and form connections and friendships. Leaving your career for retirement doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to office friends, but you will probably be talking to and seeing less of each other.  As you transition into retirement, it may be useful to identify some social activities you may enjoy now that you are not working.  For instance, you may want to take an art class, or join a senior center, or spend more time on the golf course.  Finding ways to stay social and have fun is another way you can maintain positive mental health during retirement.

Routine Health Check-ups

Taking care of yourself during retirement includes being proactive with your medical care.  By seeing your doctor for routine bloodwork and check-ups, you can help keep an eye on your wellness and take preventative measures. Additionally, when you know you are doing all that you can to follow your doctor’s orders, maintain your health, and detect issues, you will be less worried about any hidden medical problems.

Relaxation

While many people associate stress with working life, retirement doesn’t always put a stop to daily stressors. If you are leaving a high-pressure career, shifting into a slower pace of life may bring more tension as you try to figure out what to do with your time and energy. The transition doesn’t have to happen overnight, but now is an excellent time to start adding relaxation into your daily life. Find what calms you and spend a little bit of time doing it each day. For instance, you could take a yoga class, walk each morning, spend time having tea and reading, or take up painting. Whatever your choice, make sure it helps you feel centered and peaceful. The more you can relax, the more you will be able to enjoy this time in your life.

Mindfulness

There seem to be several articles these days on the power of practicing mindfulness. This ancient practice has been gaining recent popularity in Western culture as a means to manage stress and achieve well-being and improved health. The idea behind mindfulness is to be aware of what you are doing in the present moment without being distracted by emotion or other thoughts. If you are sweeping the floor for example, your only thought is on that task, not what you are going to do that day or how you feel. When you are able to detach from your other thoughts and feelings, it can help you be more centered and calm as you go through the other aspects of your day. When you were engaged in your career, things may have been more hectic. Engaging in this practice during retirement can help you adapt from the busy pace of working life and make it easier to focus on enjoying each moment of your retirement.

One of the best ways to help ensure you can enjoy your retirement is by planning. At the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo, we have experience helping clients prepare for the future as they transition into retirement. Schedule a free consultation today to start preparing for your future.