Yahoo Finance 5 Ways to Stay Strong in Retirement
Since most people who retire at 65 can look forward to 20 or more years of retirement, we want to be healthy and strong enough to make the most of our second act. While we have no control over the genes we inherited or the unexpected circumstances we might encounter in retirement, we can still play a role in improving the quality of our retirement. Here are some strategies to maintain your physical and mental strength throughout retirement.
Physical strength. Exercise and healthy living should be a lifetime commitment. As we age, it is important to undertake activities that can help maintain our strength. A regular exercise routine that addresses flexibility, stamina and strength is essential. Try to throw in some variety to keep yourself interested and engaged. If you keep doing the same thing all the time you might become bored and be more likely to give up. The goal should be to find a regimen that incorporates healthy behaviors into your daily life.
Mental toughness. In addition to physical strength, we need to maintain our mental strength. Getting older has many inconveniences, but sustaining a positive attitude can help you cope. Your attitude can make a big difference in how successfully you deal with aging issues. My mental state of mind has made a big impact on how I have dealt with tough situations over the years. If I surrender to the negative emotions, a problem can begin to feel insurmountable and the stress accumulates. If I realize that the moment will pass, I find I am able to more quickly address the challenge and move forward.
Challenge yourself. If we do not use our brains they can begin to slow down. Once you depart from the working world you might begin to notice that you are not quite as quick as you were when you were working full time. In retirement it becomes your responsibility to continue to challenge yourself. Some people take up jigsaw, Sudoku or crossword puzzles to keep their minds sharp, while others may learn a new language or take a course. It's important to find an activity that keeps you mentally engaged during your second act in order to stay sharp.
Cope with loss. The longer we live, the more likely we are to experience loss. How well we cope with the loss of friends and family members impacts our quality of life. It helps to realize you are not going through this alone. Many people around us also must deal with the same challenges. A family member, friend, counselor or priest may be able to ease your pain. Sometimes reaching out to others for support can help you make it through a difficult time.
New adventures. It's important to maintain a sense of adventure as you age. When we were kids, there was nothing we could not do, at least in our own minds. Whatever we imagined was possible. Now that we are a bit further along in years reality has shown we do not always get what we want. But that is no reason to stop dreaming. As long as we are physically able to, there is no reason our days of adventure need to come to an end. An adventure does not have to mean mountain climbing. There are plenty of options closer to sea level that can add excitement to your day.
Dave Bernard blogs at Retirement-Only The Beginning.
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