Retirement is an exciting time. You have worked hard all of your life and now get to take advantage of the fruits of that hard labor. While retirement is the perfect time to tackle to-do lists and all of the things you have always wanted, you want to make sure you stay on top of your health as well. Taking care of your mental and physical health during retirement is crucial. Here are a few ways to help you get started.
1. Eat Healthy
Healthy eating is one of the easiest ways to keep health on track and provide the energy you need to get through the day. Make sure you have a balanced diet and avoid packaged foods that are often higher in salt. Do not forget to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet to ensure you get the proper vitamins and minerals.1
2. Get Active
Staying physically active helps with many physical issues that occur when you age. It will also help to keep your weight down, boost your immune system, improve mental health, and help you sleep better. If the idea of traditional workouts seems dull, find a way to get physically active while having fun. Go swimming, play tennis or pickleball, or take some dancing lessons.1
3. Create a Social Circle
Reconnect with old friends, or make new ones. Having friends in your retirement is crucial to keeping your mind sharp, staying active, and enjoying a happier retirement. When you have a solid social circle, you will likely get out more and have a support system to get you through tough times.2
4. Keep Your Mind Sharp
Stimulating your mind during your retirement is essential. Once you have stopped working, it may be easy to give yourself a mental break for a little bit. Yet, keeping your mind active and sharp will help stave off depression and help lower your risk of memory issues in the future. Find hobbies and activities that require problem-solving skills. This will keep your mind active even while you are doing something enjoyable.1
5. Try Something New
When you retire, one of the benefits is more limited responsibilities. This means you will have more time to focus on yourself and the things you have always dreamed of doing. Go outside your comfort zone and try something that you normally wouldn't. You may be surprised to find out how much you enjoy it. The more activities you have to keep yourself occupied, the better you will feel during your retirement.2
6. Get Plenty of Sleep
Getting plenty of restful sleep is necessary to help your body heal and restore itself from the day's events. You may improve your sleep quality by having a regular sleep routine. This may include limiting liquids after a certain time, so you do not wake in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. You might also want to make your room darker, so it is easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.1
Important Disclosures:
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
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Footnotes
1Ways to Stay Healthy in Retirement, webmed, https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-healthy-retirement
210 Secrets of a Happy Retirement, AARP, https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2021/happy-retirement-secrets.html