Retirement involves a lot of changes, both positive and negative. First of all, getting older is a humbling experience by itself. Also, changing daily routines, which for so many people revolve around work, can be a stressful process. On the other hand, it’s also very rewarding. Newly found free time can be a gift, a chance to find some new hobbies, meet new friends and spend time with your family.
The most important thing you should do is to start taking better care of yourself, now when you’re officially elderly. Just by sticking to a couple of rules and being persistent you may save yourself a lot of trips to the doctor’s office.
Exercise
It’s important to exercise at any age, but as you get older being active and in good shape becomes imperative. Regular trips to the gym or a running track can prevent a lot of conditions, especially that which are heart- related (and that’s what troubles seniors the most).Before you start with workouts consult a doctor or a fitness professional. To keep things more interesting (and safer) you might want to get a friend to be your gym buddy.
Diet
Eating healthy can improve mental acuity, energy levels as well as your immune system. This means you should get at least 2 or 3 servings of fruit every day, eat as many antioxidant-rich dark vegetables, such as kale and spinach. Adults over 50 should get 1.5 grams of proteins per kilogram of bodyweight. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated on a regular basis. Seniors get dehydrated easier and drinking enough water helps with urinary infection. Once again, consult your doctor about this as well – maybe you should implement some restrictions on your diet, based on your overall health.
Being a good patient
It’s perfectly normal for your health to deteriorate as your getting older. Your job is to face it responsibly and honestly. Visit a doctor regularly and follow their instructions. If you’re experiencing new symptoms let your doctor know as soon as possible. The same goes for those who receive in home care. Tell your caretaker about any trouble or discomfort you might be experiencing. If you’re taking any medication, it’s vital to keep track of doses. Also, set a reminder to get more new prescriptions, before the old ones run out. With these simple routines, you can prevent more serious issues.
Social life
Changes due to retiring affect your mental health as well as physical. The best solution to this problem is actually quite simple – have an active social life. Nothing is better for your general mood than having a close group of friends and being active inside your community. Obviously, social life doesn’t have to be created from the ground up when you retire, but there’s a variety of options designed specifically for seniors in this position. Retirement communities and support groups are always available, as well as their online counterparts.
Get a job
Well, this may sound silly – didn’t you just retired? Actually, the studies show that seniors, who have a part time job (or a hobby that brings in some revenue), deal with retirement much better than those don’t. For some people, jobs are a way to get a sense of purpose. Naturally, you won’t be working full -time or spreading yourself too thin, but something simple, like giving lessons to beginners in your field can do you a lot of good.
Making a little effort regarding your health can get you a long way. Eating right, exercising and following your doctor’s instructions won’t affect your life tremendously, but it can make it better and more comfortable.