After a lifetime of working, retirement can often mean a slower, more relaxed lifestyle.
But if you want to boost your healthspan – that’s the time you spend in good health as you age – you may want to help ensure that your new lifestyle isn’t an inactive one.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider keeping as active as possible in your retirement.
1. Reducing your risk of chronic illness
From backpain to asthma, dementia to osteoporosis, the Mayo Clinic says that keeping physically active can help prevent some of the most common chronic disease that can impact seniors.
The government of Canada suggests that people over 65 aim for at least 2.5 hours of exercise that gets your heartrate up every week. They advise picking an activity you enjoy – swimming, brisk walking, cycling, dancing – and starting slowly.
They also remind us that you can get your recommended amount of physical activity in small doses. Ten minutes here, 20 minutes there all add up. And don’t forget: something like mowing the lawn or running after your grandkids in the playground also count.
Sometimes being active can also mean you might have sore muscles that need massage therapy, or an injury that might require treatment from a physiotherapist. Having a private health insurance plan, like Freedom to Choose™ health and dental insurance, can ensure that you’re not worried about having to pay the entire cost of the important health benefits out-of-pocket.
2. Help reduce your risk of falls
As we get older, falling can become a concern. The good news is that staying active can help prevent some of the causes of falls in seniors, like reduced leg strength or muscle weakness in the feet.
Along with getting aerobic activity, strength training – lifting weights, doing push ups, even working in the garden or carrying bags of groceries – is recommended by the government of Canada for seniors looking to stay healthy.
They also suggest adding “bone-strengthening” activities like walking or yoga. These can keep you mobile, while also helping to combat osteoporosis.
And, if moving more has inspired you to focus on other areas of your health, you might want to take advantage of the other paramedical specialist coverage you can get with a private health insurance plan. Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, for example, can include coverage for nutritionists, acupuncturists and chiropractors, no doctor’s note required.
Another positive of staying active means that you could potentially live independently for longer and stay in your own home, for example, rather than moving into long-term care.
3. Social connections through activity
According to the Canadian Coalition For Seniors’ Mental Health, social isolation and loneliness is on the rise in Canadians over 65. This can impact your mental health in a number of ways and could make it more likely you’ll develop certain chronic diseases.
Staying active can be one way to combat this, especially if you combine it with a social activity. For example, you could take a walk with a friend, join a lawn bowling team or take part in a senior’s exercise class.
4. Movement for a sharper mind
In addition to its potential to keep you connected socially – something we already know is good for warding off things like anxiety and depression – staying active can have a positive impact on your brain and mental health.
According to the Canadian Psychological Association, exercise can:
- Boost cognitive performance (how well your brain works) and ward off cognitive decline
- Increase your sense of wellbeing and self-esteem
- Help with daily stress
- Lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia
If you’re interested in staying as mentally healthy as you can, you might also consider working with a professional. Private health insurance plans, like Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, can help cover the out-of-pocket costs of working with social workers and psychologists.
Getting started
Ready to get started on this longevity journey? Here are a few things to consider:
- Talk to your doctor before you begin any kind of new fitness regime.
- Join a group or find an accountability buddy to help you stick to your goals.
- Start small, especially if you’re not already active. Chair yoga, tai chi or even just slow walks short distances can be a great starting point.
- Track your progress, either with a diary or a log of activity, to see how far you’ve come.