Importance of Staying Active During Retirement

Earlier in life, you may have envisioned yourself lounging around, carefree throughout your retirement days—not really doing much to speak of. However, this is not the path taken by most retirees, and it’s certainty not the healthiest way to spend your time. Indeed, staying active during retirement helps you live a longer, healthier, and live a more fulfilling life than you would watching daytime television. Retirement is a new beginning—a time to grab life by the horns and live out your dreams. After all, you don’t have to worry about the morning commute anymore.

To better help you understand the importance of staying active during retirement, Tribute Homes has put together a list of the top benefits associated with living an active lifestyle.

Staying active during retirement is good for your brain

There are a number of studies that have found that physical activity helps reduce your risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, and dementia of any type. Maintaining healthy cognitive functioning is essential to living an independent lifestyle in your later years, and the good news is you don’t have to run a marathon to qualify as staying active. Simply going on an evening walk with your spouse, playing golf, tennis, or swimming all help keep your brain healthy as you get older. Even if you think you are years away from having to worry about cognitive problems, it is often said than an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Getting yourself into healthy habits will make it easier to stay active as you get older, and it’s never too soon (or too late) to start.

Staying active during retirement is good for your physical health

In addition to keeping your brain healthy, living an active lifestyle during retirement is also good for your physical health. Some of these benefits include: maintaining a strong and healthy heart though cardiovascular activities; keeping your muscle toned; keeping your bones strong; and maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity also reduces your risk of a number of illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. 

Staying active during retirement is good for your emotional health

A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. In addition to increasing your life expectancy, physical activity also helps you live happier. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, which are a chemical associated with happiness and an overall sense of well-being. In addition to making you feel better on the inside, staying active also gives you more opportunities to stay engaged with friends and family. Golf outings, tennis matches, and water aerobics are all great ways you can stay active while having fun. Which leads us to our last point….

Staying active during retirement is fun

If you were very active before retirement, chances are you already know that being active is fun. However, if you’re looking to start new habits, the best way to do it is to start off slow. The worst thing you can do is overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything at once, only to get disinterested and talk yourself out of continuing your goals later on. Social sports, like some of the ones discussed above (Golf, Tennis, Water Aerobics) are all great ways to have fun, and if you’re having fun then you’re more likely to continue those activities. It’s win-win situation!

To help you stay active during retirement, Tribute Homes has developed a number of active adult communities in South Carolina with tons of amenities to make sure you’ll always have something to do. Some of these amenities include recreational facilities, golf courses, pristine lakes for boating and fishing, and more. To learn more about Tribute Homes’ offerings, visit us online at www.tributehomesusa.com or call us directly by phone at 800-381-2984.