Wellness in Retirement: Enjoy the Abundance of Northern Michigan
You can do all the retirement planning you need to secure total financial freedom in retirement. But without the physical health to enjoy it, you’re missing out on the quality of life you envisioned. Wealth alone does not determine how much you will enjoy retirement - it’s a combination of health and wealth that will help you get the most out of your independence and freedom in retirement. Especially in this region, aren’t we all hoping to live life as fully as possible?
Below are a few ways in which you can work to maintain or improve your overall wellness as you enjoy your time of financial independence.
What Is Wellness?
According to the Global Wellness Day organization, wellness is “a good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity.” The idea of wellness stems farther than physical health, as it is meant to encompass every aspect of your quality of life - mental health, social well-being, and physical state. And while developing a retirement plan can help to make sure your financial wellness is covered, it’s up to you to take care of the rest.
Addressing Wellness in Retirement
We’ve broken the most significant areas of wellness down into three categories: mental health, social well-being, and physical state. Here are the reasons why each area of wellness is important in retirement and what you can do to maintain or improve on them.
Mental Wellness
The temptation to turn your brain off during retirement can be a big one. Considering you’ve spent decades problem solving for 40+ hours a week, the idea of relaxing and unwinding in front of the television or along a sandy shoreline can be extra appealing. But to stay mentally well and ward off cognitive decline, it’s important to incorporate mental exercises into your daily retirement routine. Staying sharp and keeping an active mind in retirement can help you enjoy your retirement longer.
One possible way of keeping your mental health in check? Consider taking on a new job in retirement, even just a part-time position. According to the American Psychological Association, a 2009 study revealed that those who were working in retirement had levels of well-being in both health and overall satisfaction that were on par with those who were younger and not yet retired.
And beyond satisfaction, working in retirement has proven in some cases to ward off cognitive decline and diseases. A study of nearly half a million retiree-aged participants showed that for every additional year worked, the risk of dementia was reduced by 3.2 percent.
Other activities to help your mind stay sharp in retirement could include:
- Picking up a new instrument
- Learning a new language
- Journaling
- Reading books
- Doing puzzles and games
Social Wellness
Isolation and loneliness are growing issues with Americans, especially in older adults. Entering into retirement is a transitionary time in which one’s social well-being may become compromised. Leaving a job means leaving coworkers you see every day. If you choose to move to a retirement destination, you may be leaving neighbors, community friends, and even family behind.
Isolation can leave you feeling detached from your friends and family, both physically and psychologically. It’s something more than 8 million adults over the age of 50 experience, and prolonged isolation can have the same impact on your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The good news is, there are plenty of ways to find social fulfillment in retirement, they just require some effort and initiative on your part. These could include:
- Volunteering in your community
- Finding a roommate
- Taking or teaching classes
- Pursuing a hobby or passion that takes you outside of the home
Physical Wellness - hiking, biking, yoga or another one of the activities this area has to offer
You’ve heard the phrase “use it or lose it,” and this saying rings true when it comes to maintaining your physical wellness in retirement. Older adults are already at a bit of a disadvantage physically. As our bodies grow older, we face physical changes such as slowing metabolisms, weakening immune systems, and loss of muscle mass (to name a few). But just like your mental health, you may be tempted to enter a state of permanent relaxation in retirement. However, it’s essential to take care of yourself physically. Doing so can help prevent both physical and cognitive decline, both of which can dramatically reduce your overall well-being. Some ways to stay physically well in retirement include:
- Joining an exercise class
- Gardening and maintaining your yard
- Adopting a dog
- Enjoying walks around your neighborhood
- Creating (and sticking to) an exercise routine
When you focus on maintaining your overall wellness in retirement, it can provide some of the greatest years of your life. And while you can work with a professional to ensure your financial well-being is cared for, it’s up to you to make sure the rest is following suit as you head toward retirement.
ABOUT ERIC
Erickson Braund is the Founder and Chief Financial Officer at Black Walnut Wealth Management. He is a Certified Financial Planner®️ professional and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®️. Eric brings over 20 years of experience working with high net-worth individuals and families, helping them achieve their goals of protecting and growing their wealth for retirement and for generations to come. Because Eric is a CFP®️ professional, he adheres to high ethical standards and engages in at least 30 hours of approved continuing education in the financial industry each year.
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