How to Stay Healthy in Retirement

Retirees are at statistically greater risk of developing health problems than the rest of the population. As we get older, the cumulative effects of wear and tear begin to mount, and we end up spending more time at the doctors and experiencing more general discomfort. If we’re pro-active about it, however, we can avoid many of these negative consequences. We can enjoy a longer, happier, and more fulfilling life in general. In many cases, we can do this with just a few lifestyle tweaks. Let’s take a look at some of the steps you might want to take to stay healthy in retirement.

Join local clubs

It is very easy to become isolated in retirement, especially if you don’t have family living nearby. And even if they are close, many will have busy lives with jobs and family to cope with and their time is limited. One of the best options for retirees is to join local clubs. And yes, that could be several different clubs or perhaps one club that offers various options such as Age UK or other clubs for the elderly in your area that offer a range of social and physical activities.

If you’d like the motivation to exercise and are still quite fit, it’s often best to find a group that appeals to you. That might be the local ramblers, a health walk scheme, walking football clubs, or any number of other activity clubs such as badminton, tennis, or golf.  You might prefer to head down to the local sports centre will allow you to join up with a group you like the look of. Perhaps there’s a familiar activity that’s close to your heart; perhaps you’ve always wanted to try something, but you’ve never gotten around to it.

But joining a club doesn’t have to mean physical activity – although it is really important to stay active. You could join a lunch club, or bridge club, or learn a new skill at the local adult community college or via the University of the Third Age

Joining a club will allow you to not only stay physically active, but to maintain social bonds with like-minded people. Having friends is great for your mental health, too!

What about at home?

Your home can pose a threat to your health if it’s not properly cared for. Here, we’re not just talking about a fall down the stairs – though if you’re worried about this, there are a few choice modifications you might make to reduce the risk.

Some bigger problems occur more subtly and gradually. Damp, mould and broken pipes can cause respiratory problems to develop, and exacerbate existing ones, too. Therefore, it’s a good idea to be pro-active in spotting and preventing these things.

There may also be bigger items you might want to consider such as a stair list of even a proper home lift. Or perhaps you have uneven paving in the garden and would require hard landscaping improvements so that you can still enjoy go outside and enjoy your garden in safety.

Of course, especially with the cost of living crisis, many people have a limited budget in retirement and perhaps little in the way of savings. However, if you own your own home, then you can look into things like equity release mortgages.

As with any financial commitment, equity release is a big decision and you should consider both the advantages and disadvantages remembering that this form of mortgage is designed to be paid on death, and therefore can affect inheritance planning. It is normally sensible, therefore, tell your family what you are considering, make sure they are kept well informed, and make a collective decision.

Mental health

As we’ve hinted, social isolation can set in during retirement. You can deal with this by arranging regular face-to-face contact with those nearest and dearest to you. While phone calls and text messages have their place, there’s no real substitute for face-to-face contact.

The Mental Health Foundation provides a useful guide to looking after your mental health in later life.

But as already suggested, seeking out local clubs is a really good way to avoid loneliness and isolation as we age. If mobility is an issue, there may also be a local befriending service.

Sleep routine

Proper sleep hygiene is absolutely vital. This means keeping things stable and consistent, and implementing a proper wind-down routine every evening. Get up at the same time every day and go to bed at least an hour before you go to sleep. This will give you time to do some reading!

Nutrition

Of course, one of the best ways to stay healthy in retirement and at any other age is to ensure you eat a nourishing diet. You don’t need to be too fixated on what you eat – you deserve a few treats. The 80/20 rule may be a good option as you get older: eat healthily 80% of the time and then be a little more lax for the other 20%. But do consider how you can focus on a Mediterranean diet as much as possible.

Conclusion

The internet can provide a host of information about groups and services near you. However,  if you are not very comfortable using the computer, do ask a family member to help you. But before they start searching, think about the things you need and what activities you might like to do and make a list so you get a good selection of the sort of options you are looking for to help ensure you stay healthy in your retirement years.