Tips for Enjoying Retirement

by Julie Grenness
(Melbourne, Australia. )

Tips for enjoying our retirement should focus on making the most of every day. Always try to plan a day ahead, so you can note any appointments, or routines, then we should all plan some exercise, or activities, a hobby, or craft, an enjoyable TV show, or acquiring a new skill, whether online, or at a community class or group.

The 'greys' possess a lifetime of knowledge, common sense, and life skills. If you wish, you can mentor others, to impart the senior wisdom, or pass on the baton of your life skills to younger generations. Perhaps you could devote some time to volunteering in organisations in many communities, eager for helping hands.

On the other hand, if you feel isolated for any reason, as a 'golden oldie', you can approach your local volunteers, neighbourhood house, or local council for a home visitor, a pet walker, or a phone buddy. If you have a physical condition, there are support groups, who would reach out to you, if you approach them. Try your phone book, online groups, your health professional, or your local council.

So, to make the most of each day, plan some definite, positive activity or pastimes, active or sedentary, or both. Schedule your routines, such as shopping, appointments, housework, or gardening, or housework, or collection of scripts. Then aim to factor in a positive way to make the most of every day.

IDEAS FOR EXERCISE IN RETIREMENT!

Use it, or lose it! An old adage, but true. As we are the 'greys' in our golden years, we can aim to schedule some form of exercise for half an hour of physical activity each day, or most days, at least five days per week, with rest days, if you wish. Plan some form of exercise which you enjoy, whether alone, or in a group. This maintains a beneficial effect on your cardiovascular system, flexibility, and motivation.

If you find it hard to exercise, aim for a morning exercise routine, then reward yourself. A little bit of what you fancy!

Fortunately, there are many forms of exercise to choose, whether alone or in a group, or with a buddy. Any form of weight training, even sitting down and lifting cans of soup, combined with gentle stretching, can tone up and invigorate.

Basically, sometimes an exercise buddy can be a good idea, to enjoy company and motivate each other with positive encouragement. If you can afford a gym club membership, there a range of programs, personal trainers, equipment, and facilities. There are also local swimming pools or golf clubs, maybe walking clubs, or you devise your own programs, with a variety of mild exercise for seniors, such as Pilates, or Chair Pilates, Tai Chi, Qigong, Water Aerobics, Yoga, or really, anything you prefer, while considering any health or aging issues.

You shall feel so much better with any form of regular mild exercise. Use it or lose it!

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