Living life to the fullest in retirement.

As of April 2020, there were 45.6 million retired workers receiving Social Security benefits. That amounts to almost 14% of the U.S. population.

If you’ve recently retired or are planning to soon, you’re in good company. You’ve worked hard and now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. But, retirement is not without its stressors. You’ll need to adjust to a different schedule while balancing your finances and discovering new interests.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to stay happy and healthy in retirement. Read on for 10 retirement tips that can help you thrive in your golden years.

1. Create a routine.

Before retiring, you might have longed for leisurely mornings with nowhere to be. After all, you deserve some downtime and relaxation after 40 years of rushing off to work. As the weeks go by, all that downtime might make you feel aimless and anxious. A routine can bring structure back into your life. Your routine can be as simple as waking up and eating breakfast at the same time each day or going on a morning walk. It might take some time to discover what suits your new lifestyle, but you can always change your routine if it’s not working for you.

2. Find your purpose.

Your next task as a retiree is to find your life’s purpose outside of work. Without a career to focus on, it’s a great opportunity to come up with a new mission statement for your life. It’s the ideal time to discover what you’re truly passionate about. It could be volunteer work, spending time with your grandkids, gardening, or working on home projects. You’ll feel happier and more energetic when you feel a sense of purpose each day.

3. Eat a healthy diet.

You are what you eat! If you want to stay healthy and have lots of energy in retirement, you need to eat a healthy diet. That means lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.

If you’re not used to cooking three meals a day at home, you can find a ton of delicious healthy-aging recipes online. If you enjoy what you eat, you’re less likely to make poor food choices. Just because you’re eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t indulge every now and then, just enjoy in moderation.

4. Prioritize your dental health.

Dental health can affect everything from your self-esteem to your ability to enjoy food. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your mouth and teeth in retirement. It also has a major impact on your overall health; for example, gum disease can raise your risk of heart disease by 20%.

Whether you have a missing front tooth or there’s other dental work you’ve been putting off, retirement is a great time for dental function restoration. You’ll have a more flexible schedule and more time to recover. A smile makeover will also boost your confidence, which will make you feel happier and healthier.

5. Stay active and get regular exercise.

When you’re creating your retirement routine, make time for exercise. It will keep your muscles and bones strong and healthy. Plus, exercise is a great mood booster.

Try low impact exercise like walking, swimming, biking, or practicing yoga. If you have trouble staying motivated, consider joining a local gym or signing up for a fitness class. It’s also a great way to make new friends. If exercise hasn’t been a part of your life, retirement is the perfect time to form a new healthy habit.

6. Nurture your relationships and stay social.

When you’re busy with work, it’s easy to lose touch with friends and family members. Retirement is the perfect time to reconnect and even make new friends.

Our social lives aren’t just important for our emotional well-being, they’re vital to our overall health. In fact, living without social connections is just as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Whether it’s through a weekly phone call, a standing lunch date, or a book club, there are lots of ways to stay social.

7. Set goals for yourself.

During your working life, you probably had goals like getting a promotion or paying off your car loan. Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you should stop setting goals. Setting goals gives you something to work towards and look forward to. Whether your goal is to plan your dream vacation, learn Italian, or renovate the kitchen, you’ll feel happier when you have a goal in mind.

8. Take care of preventive and maintenance health care.

With volunteer work, spending time with loved ones, and going on vacations, you might feel too busy to go to your regular checkup appointments. But, it’s important to make time for these wellness checks. Make sure to get regular dental cleanings and your yearly physicals. With up-to-date health records, your doctor will be able to catch problems early.

9. Address health issues when they come up.

If your doctor notices any health issues or you’re having symptoms, don’t brush them off. Minor problems can get worse if you don’t address them. Don’t ignore TMJ symptoms or TMJ pain, headaches, or back pain. Without treatment, they can lead to more pain and even permanent damage. You can often solve these pain problems holistically. Reach out to your dentist, massage therapist, or chiropractor for treatment.

10. Take time to enjoy life.

The key to a happy and healthy retirement is to enjoy the little things and stay positive. Retirement is a major milestone and you should celebrate your accomplishment. Enjoy the little things like a delicious meal, sharing laughter with friends, and relaxing in nature. Retirement is your time to thrive, relax, and find new purpose, and go on some fun adventures.

Include these retirement tips in your daily routine.

Retirement is a major life change, so it might take some time to adjust. Hopefully these retirement tips will give you some guidance in this new chapter of your life. Whether you’re looking for laser dentistry, dental implants, or complete restoration, Bentz Dental Implant and Prosthodontic Center can help. If you’re in the Philadelphia area, request an appointment with us today.

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