Recently, I received an invitation to speak to a local senior group about retirement living. The invitee knew I retired several years ago and maintain an active lifestyle by exercising, eating healthier, and traveling. I jumped at the opportunity!
I shared my retirement journey with an eager audience of thirty to thirty five people. The majority were retired. Just so happen, my niece was visiting from out of town. She has a Health and Wellness Business and is the publisher of Natural Awakening magazine. I invited her to speak as well.
Prior to retiring, I bought a book “How To Retire Happy, Wild, and Free” by Ernie J. Zelinski. He shared some interesting and valuable tips to consider. After reading his book and considering my own options, I decided it was time for me to retire.
We all have a purpose in life; therefore, we still have a purpose in retirement. I asked the retirees to consider their purpose. To help them consider their purpose, I shared some tips I learned about discovering their purpose. I asked them to consider what made them happy in their childhood. What activities did they participate in their childhood, teens, and early adulthood? What made them happy in their career and wouldn’t mind continuing? In addition, we have to consider our physical, mental, and spiritual health. We also have to laugh (to release endorphins) and have fun!
Without purpose, life is motion without meaning. When life has meaning, we can bear almost anything. It’s up to us to design the retirement lifestyle we want. We should think about what challenges gives our life purpose. Retirement is the perfect time to be the person we’ve always wanted to be.
Physically active individuals generally experience a long life expectancy. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle can shorten our lifespan. Inactivity is a risk factor for various health problems such as Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2Diabetes, and weakened bones. We must maintain an active lifestyle to promote longevity and overall well -being.
We must consider activities with purpose and challenge our brains. This may include journaling, playing bridge or chess, or returning to college to audit classes for the sake of learning.
Since retirement, I’m honored to say retirement is a gift. We must stay active. Bored retirees feel lost. We must plan emotionally and financially. It’s an opportunity to find our passion and pursue it. It’s up to us to change our lifestyle. If we remain intellectually stimulated, we will reclaim our creative spirit.
To fear retirement is to fear life. We don’t want to die while living and wait twenty more years to be buried. We must focus on what we’re gaining. It’s the time to create a new identity and follow our dreams. Retirement should be the best years of our lives.
If we don’t take care of our bodies, where do we expect to live? Most people put on weight as we age, we lose muscle mass, and physical activities decline. Proper nutrition is important to remain healthy as long as possible.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Motion Is Lotion.” There are three types of exercises important for healthy aging. These exercises includes strength training, (to make our muscles work against resistance), Aerobics (improves cardiovascular and bone health), and balance (preserves muscle mass, cognitive performance, and neuromuscular coordination).
It’s also important to connect with nature by walking and gardening. I grow a compact garden each year. The fruits, vegetables, and herbs we eat should be soil food!
The world is full of banana peels. It’s easier to slip and fall as we age. We should learn to practice mindfulness by focusing on the present, be aware of our surroundings, have hearing and vision checks, declutter, and stand instead of sitting. As a group, we practiced some strengthening, aerobic, and balancing exercises.
In the aforementioned book, the author wrote about getting and planting a get-a-life tree. He suggested we consider the activities we enjoy now, activities we enjoyed in the past but stopped doing, and new activities we’ve thought of doing but haven’t started. How happy we’ll be in retirement depends on if we’re willing to be happy!
I’m active in my local “seasoned” activity center, a place where adults 55 and over can socialize; cultivate friendships, exercise, and travel. It’s our opportunity focus on what we’re gaining and to do what we want. I participate in various activities at least three to five days every week.
My niece spoke about the importance of living a more balanced life through healthier eating. She shared numerous tips on how to connect to the web of life. Our health is truly or wealth!
Francie Mae. August 23, 2025.
Reference
Zelinski, Ernie J. 2015. How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free. Canada. Visions International Publishing.