16 Tips to Thriving After You Turn the Age of 65
We spend many of our lives learning how to live a worthwhile life. How long should we sleep? How long should we work? How long should we devote to our hobbies and aspirations? As we get older, into retirement age, that question remains the same but differs slightly with age. What else should we do to maintain a worthwhile life after retirement or age 65?
1. Decent Sleep
Back when I worked at a bookstore, my favorite customer proclaimed he took a two-hour nap each day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to stay healthy. He was about 70 and the happiest older person I’ve ever met. He also encouraged fellow older folks to prioritize their sleep for a desirable life. Achieving exceptional sleep impacts mental and physical health first, then leads to positive mood and energy. Following a beneficial sleep schedule is probably the easiest tip to thriving after 65.
2. Health Maintenance
Humans age in wisdom and physical health. Sadly, we can’t remain in our prime 20-year-old bodies in our 70s, though we can find a happy medium to stave off injury and diseases while expanding our lifespan. Make frequent doctor visits and checkups to ensure superior health in the later years.
3. Volunteer
Help others to help yourself. Pick an organization or a few to spend time helping each week. Diving into a community infuses people with a sense of purpose and gives them something to look forward to. For those who lack social groups, volunteering fills the gap. Devoting time to these organizations allows older individuals to interact with others and give back to the community.
4. Pursue Hobbies
I know an 80-year-old black belt who practices his craft daily. As a child, his parents forced him into team sports to increase his chances of a college scholarship. This plan landed him a full-ride to a prestigious university, yet he despised team sports. His heart remained with martial arts, so once he completed a fruitful career and raised his family, he embarked on a self-defense journey that satisfied his inner child. Pursuing hobbies in retirement can grant one a community and optimize health and happiness.
5. Get Outside
We live on this beautiful Earth for a reason. Why not bask in the sunshine and smell the blooming flowers? Immersing yourself in nature skyrockets Vitamin D levels and instills hope and peace. Spending a few moments each week with nature can also improve concentration levels, diminishing irritable moods.
6. Establish a Routine
We struggle to adapt and adjust whenever we are thrust into a new space. Fix those struggling feelings with a concrete schedule. Avoid a rigid schedule in favor of a broad, flexible one. For example, establish a bedtime, wake-up time, and meal time, but vary the activities throughout the week. Sticking to a routine prompts healthy habits, a necessity in retirement.
7. Hang Out With Friends
Social lives impact happiness by decreasing loneliness and increasing contentedness. We learn from early on the importance of filling our lives with friends, and though some people need fewer friends than others, most of the human race yearns for a friend group. Speaking with like-minded individuals or encountering shared interests with another person elevates mood and reduces solitude.
8. Focus on Mental Health
Maintaining mental health meshes with physical health and happiness. People in tune with their mental health may find increased fulfillment and satisfaction once they learn how their brain works. Keep a diary of thoughts and feelings to track mood and overall quality of life. When mental stress becomes overpowering, seek professional help.
9. Manage Stress
Managing stress should be taught in grade school. Learning to combat anxious feelings helps us attain better sleep and happier moods daily. With less stress, people find peace within their minds and daily lives, permitting them to follow a relaxed lifestyle.
10. Fitness
Staying active throughout life influences health and happiness. When you keep your body moving throughout the years, chances of disease, illness, and injury are lower. Plus, many active individuals appear younger than passive and live independent lives.
11. Eat Right
Fuel your body with essential nutrients and minerals to maintain good health. You know that quote about your body being a temple? That sentiment stays with us throughout our lifespan. What we put in our bodies directly affects our happiness, heart health, and energy levels.
12. Hydrate
Stay properly hydrated at all ages to enhance your health. Older individuals should remain hydrated as older bodies operate on a depleted water reserve compared to younger people. In addition to refilling the water supply, older bodies need water to minimize injuries such as heatstroke, dehydration, and numerous infections. Headache reduction goes hand in hand with hydration, too.
13. Safety Protocols
An unfortunate part of aging includes the increased risk of injury. Falling is a common injury occurring in older individuals, although classes and safety prevention protocols help prevent this traumatic experience. Protocols to alleviate falling risks encompass standing up slowly, wearing safe shoes, visiting a doctor for vision and hearing checks, and installing safety rails and ramps in your home. A few medical assistance devices assist older individuals with contacting emergency services in the chance of falls.
14. Keep Track of Finances
Many people in their retirement era have a budget for the upcoming years. The budget needn’t be the strictest guide in the world. However, you should keep a plan to avoid overspending on needless materials. When you manage finances, you see the bigger picture regarding how much money you can contribute to charity or your lifestyle/upcoming vacations. Plus, managing money leads to a heightened sense of security and calmness.
15. Travel
Did you spend much of your life hoping to make that bucket list trip to Africa? Now is your time! Since retirement accords ample time, what with the absence of a job or child-raising responsibilities, book a flight to that one destination you’ve eyed since childhood. Many retired-age people begin traveling expeditions later in life because of surplus money and freedom to explore.
16. New Skills
Spice up your quality of life by seeking out a new hobby. Without a demanding day job stealing all your time and freedom, you can finally chase that cooking dream or artistic endeavor you always dreamed about. The best part of learning a new skill in retirement is the little commitment required if you want to switch paths.
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