Just what the doctor ordered

A successful retirement isn’t just about having your finances in tip-top shape; good health and wellbeing are also key to being able to enjoy your retirement years. Here are some handy tips for a healthier, more active life in retirement:

1. Undertake regular health checks and keep up-to-date with your vaccinations.
2. Maintain a healthy body weight to help avoid diabetes, hypertension and elevated lipids.
3. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, minimise red meat, drink lots of water, and practice good oral hygiene.
4. Participate in aerobic exercise. Check with your doctor and aim for 150+ minutes of moderate intensity or 75+ minutes of vigorous activity weekly.
5. Use body weight and functional exercises to help maintain muscle mass.
6. Stretch and do functional movement exercises or yoga to maintain flexibility.
7. Ensure your home is age-friendly by removing fall hazards, improving lighting and accessibility.
8. Develop an anti-stress regimen such as meditation or ‘forest bathing’.
9. Consider getting a pet to provide companionship and encourage activity.
10. Maintain strong social connections with family, friends and community.
11. Practice gratitude and maintain a sense of purpose.
12. Engage in hobbies that align with your values and interests.
13. Optimise your brain function through lifelong reading and learning, puzzles, games, learning a language, or a musical instrument can help.
14. Get adequate sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.