Does one simply wake up one morning and say – I am retired – I am tired – twice tired - I`ll spend my day in bed. I don`t think so!! This is a time that most look forward to, to do the things that they haven`t had the time for in many years.
Yes, there may be a short time when one feels kind of lost at the thought of not having to go to work, something that has been a way of life for so long – it is quite natural, but that is the time to be on the go and have some enjoyment planned.
Remember that being at home and not having to answer to others requires a certain amount of discipline, it`s too easy to say – i`ll start tomorrow. Don`t put it off, record your `start’ date and ensure that this is what you abide by.
Too many people die within a year of their retirement, the reasons being that they feel that they are worn out as an individual, which is often caused by phsycological trauma. We can prevent this happening by simply enjoying what we have and being thankful for life itself. Take this period of your life and make it worth living, to explore new and exciting things.
Physical activity is the best way of getting the adrenaline active and enables one to feel the zest for life. I am not saying that you now have to make up for all the exercise in one week that you lacked in the last twenty years! Please, no! Get started with walking, join a club or exercise class, take the stairs, slowly at first, instead of the elevator. Use your imagination, there are plenty of ways to be inventive. Perhaps you always wanted to play golf, or try your hand at painting, now is the time to really enjoy learning those skills at your leisure.
Go out and meet up with friends that you`ve missed out on, perhaps with important events, plan outings with them, they are perhaps feeling lonely. Organise a game of golf. Organising requires a bit of effort of your part, but it`s well worth it. Friends may need more than a little nudging, but persevere.
Start a herb garden, and educate yourself on the benefits of each herb. If you don`t have a garden, herbs grow very well in pots. Growing a few salads can also be very rewarding. Likewise with a flower garden, there is a lot to learn about how to tend to the plants, when they should be clipped, how and when they should be watered etc.
It`s never too late to learn something new, and don`t surrender yourself to `old age’. What is old age – it`s when you have given up. Fulfill all your life`s desires, take up with a dance class and show the world around you that you are not ready to throw in the towel.
Take life, embrace it, love it, and be a pleasure to your family and friends.
For those who cannot fend for themselves, Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious cooked meals to the elderly.
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