For many of us, retirement is the golden light at the end of the long tunnel of our working lives. Our retirement years provide the opportunity to do all the things we just didn’t have time for when the work was consuming so much of our lives. These years are a time for travel, for quality time with our families, for new hobbies and experiences. The retirement age in most countries in the world is around 65 and most people at that age are still fit and healthy, with many years ahead of them to enjoy. In order to maximize the opportunities that retirement brings, it is vitally important to stay healthy.
Here are the top five fitness tips for after retirement:
Walk (or run!) everywhere
One of the major advantages of a healthy retirement is that we have more time than we even know what to do with. With no set schedule to adhere and no clocking-in time to meet, it is a time to put away the car keys and start walking (or running!) whenever the chance and the weather allows. Walking has numerous health benefits and can help to keep joints functioning smoothly, improve cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness and can help to control blood pressure and the symptoms of diabetes. Try and introduce walking into your life in ways that may seem insignificant, but really do add up over time. If you can, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park your car at the furthest end of the car park from the supermarket, or get off the bus one stop before you usually do.
Pick up an old hobby
Try picking up a physical hobby or sport that you used to play in your younger days. You don’t have to join the local football team, but playing catch with your grandkids or taking up cycling again after a long hiatus are fantastic ways to stay active and keep yourself fit and healthy. Even a passive activity like fishing can be a great way to promote a healthy retirement. Mental health and fitness are just as important as physical health, and fishing has been shown to provide significant benefits to our mental health. (Plus, freshly caught fish can make a very healthy meal!)
Start a new hobby
These days, there are almost unlimited range of sports and physical activities for you to try out. All major fitness centers have specialized classes with expert trainers who are always eager to introduce new people to their sports. The folks at a retirement website cite government figures that give an average life expectancy of 85 years old for 65 year-old retirees in the US. With twenty years to practice, you could yet become a fencing master or a black belt in karate. A group class can also be a fantastic way to meet new people, as sometimes after retirement, people may become more isolated or lose contact with work related friends or social events. All levels and ages are welcome at most fitness classes and you may find yourself wishing you had started years ago!
Yoga
The benefits of regular yoga practice are very well documented and yoga’s monumental rise in popularity across the world shows how many people are reaping its rewards. Yoga increases flexibility and muscle strength, improves cardiovascular and pulmonary health, and has huge benefits for bones and joints, which often cause discomfort for older people. Yoga has been shown to increase blood flow, lower blood pressure and even help you sleep deeper. With hundreds of yoga studios popping up every year, and thousands of videos that you can follow along online, it has never been easier to take up this ancient practice.
Hit the gym during working hours
One huge advantage that retirement brings is that there is so much time for exercising. Normal 9 to 5 working hours are usually the quietest time in gyms and fitness centers and by taking advantage of these off-peak hours you won’t have to wait for any of the equipment or facilities. If you are just returning to working out, or starting out on your fitness journey, taking advantage of these less busy hours in the gym can be a nice way to ease into it.
There are so many options available out there to help us stay fit and healthy after retirement. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you are able to do all those things you dreamed of doing while you were still working. Maintaining a healthy body and mind really does mean that life can begin at retirement.
