5 Easy Better-Health Steps for Retirement-Age Adults

Introduction

Retirement age isn’t the same for everyone. Some individuals like to work, and so they might keep going well into their seventies or eighties.

Others who are financially stable may choose to get out at an earlier age, like in their early sixties or fifties.

On average, though, retirement age is right around 65. Ideally, at that point, you should have several more healthy and happy years ahead of you.

The thing is, though, you’ll need to take good care of yourself if you’re going to have an excellent life quality.

Here are steps you can take toward better health as you approach retirement age.

Food Portion Control

Experts believe that over 42% of adults suffer from obesity. That is a sobering statistic if you take the time to think about it. Several factors contribute to being overweight or obese, but how much food you consume tops the list.

You should eat only when you’re hungry, and not because you’re bored. You also shouldn’t eat if you feel sad or depressed. These types of behaviors can easily lead to weight gain.

Eat a reasonable amount at mealtimes, and supplement that with healthy snacks in between meals if you still feel hungry. If you go to a restaurant and they serve you a huge portion of food, there is no reason to get through all of it. There’s nothing wrong with taking some of it home as leftovers and enjoying it later.

Exercise

You also cannot neglect exercise if you want to stay healthy during your retirement years. Exactly how you exercise is going to depend on your physical condition.

If you are in stellar health, then you might do something like run a half marathon. You might play tennis or squash. You can swim at your local gym or YMCA.

If you’re not up to more rigorous activities, then you can take some basic yoga classes that will help with your flexibility. You can walk around your neighborhood or lift some free weights. It all depends on your physical state and whether you’re dealing with any medical issues.

Visit with Friends

One thing that becomes problematic for some people when they retire is that they miss talking with the individuals they knew from work. They might not realize how much they counted on those daily interactions.

You should try and visit with your friend and relative network. You might have a spouse or partner with whom you regularly converse, and that’s great, but it’s also helpful to get out of the house and mingle sometimes. Meeting friends for dinner at a restaurant or bar, being part of a social club, or doing something like going on a camping trip together are all stimulating activities.

It’s about more than just catching up with your buddies. Social interaction keeps the mind sharp and limber. You don’t want to feel isolated in retirement, which can lead to depression or mental deterioration.

Eat Better Foods

Another aspect of health and weight management is what kinds of foods you’re putting into your body. Portion control matters, but if all you’re eating is junk food, that’s every bit as problematic as if you were overeating.

Try to limit things like pizza, burgers, fried chicken, and other high-fat, high-sodium foods. Instead, eat lean meats, or consider going vegetarian or vegan.

Ensure that you’re packing lots of fiber into your diet through legumes, whole grains, and leafy vegetables. Eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies means you’ll be getting your vitamins as well.

Drink Lots of Water

Some retirement-age individuals also go around with a baseline that borders on dehydration. That is because they’re not drinking enough water throughout the day.

Most experts recommend that you drink two liters of water per day. That translates to eight eight-ounce glasses. It might seem like a lot, but doing so has many body benefits at any age.

If you’re having trouble remembering to drink that much water, you can get yourself a wearable device like an Apple Watch or Fitbit and set a timer to remind you.

Conclusion

Your retirement should be a time when you are content. You probably have put in years of work, and likely you have accomplished a great deal.

Now you want to relax and enjoy yourself, and you need to try and stay healthy to do so. That way, you’ll have several years to do things like travel, read some good books, or whatever else you have been putting off.

About Shannon Clark

Shannon holds a degree in Exercise Science and is a certified personal trainer and fitness writer with over 10 years of industry experience.