Back in 2008, when I first wrote about the importance of exercise and physical activity in preparation for retirement, I encouraged readers to adopt positive health practices. It’s still not too late—no matter what your life stage—to begin taking better care of your body with these tried-and-true practices:
• Exercise after getting a medical check up
• Manage stress in a healthy way with meditation, good friendships, exercise, and laughter
• Resolve life situations that are causing emotional and physical stress
• Balance work and leisure
• Get enough rest
• Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals
• Don’t smoke or use drugs
• Limit your use of alcohol
• Get yearly medical check-ups
• Manage a chronic illness with regular medical monitoring, acceptance, and a positive attitude
For example, if you choose to start exercising on a regular basis, you might prevent serious health problems that could follow you into retirement. You will reap other benefits as well.
I recently interviewed a group of ice skaters who ranged in age from 65 to 82. These amazing individuals skate three times a week—in public, in the middle of a mall—and this is what I learned about their attitudes and feelings toward exercise, specifically ice skating.
Physical benefits:
• Improves balance, coordination, cardio, muscle tone, flexibility, endurance, weight management, stress relief, and mental agility
• Encourages other forms of exercise—like yoga, walking, golf, biking, dancing, and stretching—to minimize injuries
Emotional and psychological benefits:
• Fosters a positive attitude and enthusiasm
• Encourages goal-setting
• Nurtures pride in accomplishments
• Provides support from the skating community
Social benefits:
• Limits isolation and provides opportunities for connection
• Strengthens teamwork
• Builds social engagement
How do these skaters recommend you exercise, keep moving, and stay physically fit in retirement?
• Stay physically active and socially engaged. Build new friendships and maintain current friendships.
• If you want to begin any sport, make sure you take lessons before you get started.
• Choose an activity you enjoy and that will provide the benefits listed above.
• Enjoy the freedom to do what you want to do in retirement. Find balance in your life.
• Find activities that can also serve as a support group when life challenges and losses occur. The biggest challenge for several of them was being alone, after having lost a spouse or friend.
We all have a choice in life to maintain our physical fitness and general health. What activities, physical fitness programs, weight loss programs, and maintenance of chronic health problems should you be attending to in your life?
Make the best of your life for the rest of your life as you prepare for retirement with Retirement Lifestyle Strategies coaching and resources from Dee Cascio.