Maintaining and Improving Your Health and Well-Being in Retirement

To enjoy your retirement and live life to the fullest, you need to protect your health. However, physical health is only one part of the happiness equation. You also need to take measures to improve and protect your overall well-being. Once you are finished with your career, you begin a new phase of your life where you aren't tied down by work. This change can come as a shock to some, but you should work to maximize your activity (and more importantly your enjoyment) of this part of your life to ensure your prolonged happiness and health. Consider the following tips to ensure that you live life after retirement to its fullest.

1. Stay Active

Living an active lifestyle is paramount to protecting your health and happiness. Not only does regular and moderate exercise keep your heart in good shape, but research has shown that it also helps maintain cognitive ability. Also, know that you don't need to go to the gym to focus on working out. You can have fun while exercising by going on walks, taking a dance class, or riding a bike.

If you have health concerns that inhibit your ability to do these exercises, consider swimming. You can even do small chair exercises if you lack the ability to swim. The important thing to remember is to stay active.

2. Spend Time with Loved Ones

Our families are the centerpieces of our lives, and no one will support you better than your family. Because a loving family life is crucial to fulfillment and happiness, make an effort to spend significant amounts of time with your loved ones.

3. Take a Class

Taking a class is not only a good way to meet new people, but it is also a way to keep your mind sharp. By trying to learn a new subject or activity, you will be introduced to other like-minded people that have similar interests. Whether it's a class that will work you mind or introduce you to a new activity or hobby  with which to spend your time, it's never too late to learn something new!

4. Stay Connected

Even if your friends and family aren't in your local area, you can still connect with them on a daily basis. Social media, email, and multiplayer games such as Words With Friends are simple and fun ways to interact with those that are far away.

For a more personal communication, try a video call. Skype, FaceTime, and a number of other applications have made face-to-face communication easier than ever, even when there are miles, continents, or oceans between you!

5. Reach Out to Your Local Community

At this point in life, you understand the value of giving back to others. If you are looking for a way to plug into your local community and engage others, volunteer work is a very noble way to do so. Not only will you become part of the solution, but you will also help give your life a greater meaning and purpose.

6. Find a Furry Friend

Pets are a great way to improve the quality of your life. Dogs, cats, and other animals make great companions and can improve your well-being. In fact, research has shown that dogs have a special cognitive ability to understand the emotions and moods of their owners.

It's important to consider what kind (or size) of pet you can take care of. A larger dog that needs a lot of physical activity and could drag you down the street is probably not the best choice, but a smaller companion may be just right for you!

You've worked hard and earned your retirement, but it's important to stay active, both physically and mentally. Boredom can be a powerful tool (Seriously! It can lead to very creative thinking) but overdo it and it can take a negative effect on you and your daily life!