How to Stay Young (At Least in Spirit)
May, 2017
When You’re Retired
Mohr Keet of South Africa bungee- jumped when he was 96, landing himself in the Guinness World Records. There, too, is Yuichiro Miura of Japan, who climbed Mount Everest when he was 80.
Not everyone in the golden years of life will attempt and accomplish such extraordinary feats, but most people can take steps to keep themselves young – at least in spirit – when they reach retirement.
Unfortunately, for many people, retirement planning remains fixated on finances, so when the big day arrives, they’re not quite ready to segue into life’s new chapter.
After you’ve planned for the money, there is still anxiety about retirement. You don’t know what it’s like to not work, and so there is that emotional part of retirement you need to manage. Sometimes people aren’t ready in any way, shape or form.
A few ways to hang onto a little youthful exuberance while aging gracefully in retirement include:
• Be a lifelong learner. Making the effort to learn about new things keeps our brains young. Read something you wouldn’t normally read. Sit in on a lecture that a college opens to the public. Some of my clients mention that they took classes in philosophy or in a foreign language. It’s proven that those who are lifelong learners have a greater sense of optimism and a lower chance of dementia.
The truth is that those things your doctor tells you – exercise, eat a healthful diet, get the appropriate amount of sleep – are about as close to a magic bullet as you’re going to get.
• See the world, or at least some of it. There are no doubt plenty of places you haven’t ventured out into, some close by and others far away. Traveling and enjoying new experiences is a great way to keep you feeling young and enthusiastic about life.
Whether you’re heading to a state park just an hour’s drive away or boarding a plane bound for Paris, part of the fun of traveling is deciding where you want to go.
The sky should be the limit.
Don’t eliminate anything from your initial list just because of expense. You might be able to find bargains, and because you’re retired, you can travel any time you want, which allows you go in the off-season when prices are lower.
• Remember your doctor’s advice. Activities such as enrolling in a college class can help keep you mentally young, but you want your body to cooperate, too.
We’re always looking for that magic bullet, the easy and quick way to feeling younger. The truth is that those things your doctor tells you – exercise, eat a healthful diet, get the appropriate amount of sleep – are about as close to a magic bullet as you’re going to get.
People think that money is the most important aspect of retirement, but it’s really No. 2. You can have more than enough money, but if you aren’t healthy or doing the things you enjoy, the money won’t matter.
Ann Vanderslice is President and CEO of Retirement Planning Strategies, which specializes in advising federal workers about their benefits. Contact through her web site www.annvanderslice.com.
