In the United States, the average retirement age is 63 for women and 65 for men. This is the time when the older population leaves the workforce and enjoys the fruits of their decades-worth of hard labor. In some cases, people who retire have a hard time adjusting and adapting to the new situation. The absence of their previous routine makes it a bit hard for them to fully transition into retirement.
Here are some ideas on how you can enjoy the senior years of your life:
Have a Regular Exercise Routine
Let’s face it, our lifestyle is not the only thing that changes once you reach the age of 60. Along with many things in your life, your body also undergoes several changes. During this time your bones will become weaker and less dense. One main reason behind this is that, as you age your body can not produce the same amount of estrogen. Estrogen is important when it comes to preventing your bones from becoming brittle.
If you do not address this immediately, it can result in serious illnesses such as osteoporosis. You need to be healthy to enjoy your retirement years and to do that, the first step is to be physically active. It doesn’t have to be a hard-core rigorous routine. You can simply do brisk walking in your backyard for at least one hour every day. Do this daily and you will notice significant positive results in your body.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Again, a healthy body is a secret to making the most out of your senior years. At this point, some older people are already diagnosed with illnesses like diabetes and hypertension that’s why watching the foods you eat is half the battle. If you don’t have those types of illnesses, you can double your precaution by eating healthily.
A good diet will help you physically, mentally, and socially. Generally speaking, you can begin by cutting back on certain types of foods especially those that are high in fat and empty calories. It is ideal for you to consume vegetables, beans, whole grain, and high fiber bread or oatmeal, and lean meat and poultry. You can also stock up on eggs, fish, tofu, seeds, and nuts as well as yogurt, cheese, and milk.
It is best that you limit your consumption of foods that are high in sodium and saturated fats like pizza, commercial burgers, cream, fried foods, crisps, and potato chips. Also, do your best to limit your alcohol intake and stick to the standard two drinks a day.
Keep Your Mind Active
Your brain was constantly working for the past few decades of your life and the sudden lack of activities or shift in routine can cause mental strain. At this point, you need to keep your brain active to avoid illnesses like depression and anxiety.
You can learn a new hobby like painting, restoring your vintage car, or collecting things that interest you. You can also take lessons on how to play that musical instrument that you’ve always wanted since you were a kid.
Other retirees venture into small businesses like selling foods or dry goods. If you are an entrepreneur by heart, you can use this opportunity to launch a small home-based business. You can easily market your brand by using SEO services or the help of your kids or grandchildren in advertising your products online. Whichever you choose, it is important to have something to look forward to every day.
Go and See the World
Though traveling around is still not entirely advisable because of the ongoing global health crisis, there is nothing wrong with preparing and making plans. For sure there is a place that you haven’t seen before or a destination that you want to visit alone or with your wife. The world is huge and you deserve to see all the beautiful destinations.
Some retirees schedule a vacation by booking a plane while a larger majority opt to purchase recreational vehicles or RVs. In general, a single unit of RV costs somewhere around USD 35,000 to USD 300,000. These price points will change depending on the size, features, and the type of class of the RV.
Having this type of travel vehicle will allow you to go on an old-school road trip while enjoying the same comfort you have at home. It also helps you emotionally because you won’t feel being stuck in one place all the time.
Your golden years are just around the corner and it is understandable if you are feeling a bit anxious. After all, this is a huge change in your lifestyle. But once you start transitioning, you will soon find out that there are tons of exciting activities waiting for you once you retire.
