Betty Freidan once said, “aging is not a ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength”. Retirement can certainly be the golden years of life, filled with renewed interests, passions and opportunities. Whether you are entering your retirement or looking towards the future, it is important that you make some preparations to ensure that you are in the best position possible to make the most of this new stage of life.
Gain a New Sense of Purpose
Retirement can present a challenge for many who find themselves in search of new meaning and purpose. This is a natural feeling, after all, you have recently given up working and an occupation is likely to have provided a sense of purpose throughout your adult life. Research has found that finding a sense of purpose is not only important for a person’s mental health but for their physical health too. In fact, a study from Oxford University has found that individuals who reported feeling they had a purpose in life had a 15% lower risk of death.
Remain Active
Health and happiness go hand in hand, which is why it is so important for individuals of any age to maintain an active lifestyle. It is easy for those in retirement to lead more sedentary lives. To ensure that you are maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, you should try and include some daily physical activity, such as:
- Going for a daily walk
- Enjoying a physical activity such as gardening
- Practice a low-impact sport such as swimming
Staying active as you grow older will not only help you to feel happier and more mentally alert but it will also reduce your risk of injuries and disease. Regular physical exercise helps to reduce the risks of arthritis and of slipping or falling; exercise also helps older people recover more quickly from injuries and illnesses.
Find a Happy Home
There are many reasons why you might choose to live in a retirement community. You might be in need of assistance with daily activities or you could be missing the sense of community you once got from work. Loneliness and social isolation are a growing problem within the United States – the latest Poll on Healthy Aging found that one-third of seniors feel lonely.
Loneliness has been linked to a range of different mental and physical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Senior living communities are the perfect solution for older people who are looking to maintain an active, healthy and happy lifestyle within an environment of like-minded individuals. These communities don’t have to be stuffy or dull, in fact, establishments like The Bluffs at Greystone are quite the opposite. This community offers many featured amenities such as an arts and craft studio, a yoga studio, a library and business centre and a movie theatre.
Stay on Top of Your Finances
Data from Northwestern’s Planning and Progress Study found that money is the number one cause of stress among Americans. Money worries don’t magically disappear when you enter older age. To ensure that you are in the best position to enjoy all that your retirement has to offer, you will need to feel in control of your finances. There are many retirement financial income options that can help you, such as state pensions or annuities. If you feel concerned about your financial situation you should seek advice from a trustworthy party, such as your bank or a financial advisor.
