The greatest wealth is health” – Roman Poet, Virgil
Plan Now for a Healthy Retirement
If you’re only thinking of financial planning when it comes to your retirement, you are making one of the biggest mistakes of your life. Your health should be more important than how much money you have in the bank. Money cannot buy happiness, health, or well-being.
And you didn’t get to this point in your life without knowing that. However, a number of people reaching retirement age take better care of their portfolios than they do of their health.
It’s essential to plan now for a vibrant, energetic, and healthy retirement!
Create a Life That you Actually Want to Live
While working out on the treadmill, I listened to a Youtube video with Joe Rogan and Dan Carlin.
(In case you’re unfamiliar, Joe Rogan is an American stand-up comedian and podcast host. Dan is an American political commentator and podcaster.)
Their 33-minute conversation was inspirational and just long enough to keep me motivated during my treadmill workout.
The talking point of the exchange was creating a life that you actually want to live (Watch the video here.)
The gist of it was that people spend their lives doing “soul-crushing” work which leads to unfulfilling lives.
Joe and Dan encouraged people to strike out on their own instead of becoming ordinary drone workers.
For instance, regardless of how old you are, work for yourself they said. Become an entrepreneur! Find a passion project and nourish it.
In short, invest in yourself. It’s the powerful path to true personal and financial freedom.
What Does This Have to do With Retirees and Health?
Towards the end of the video, Dan referenced how hard it is for some older people to start over. He said people lack energy as they age. Furthermore, he said that not enough is said about that.
Dan’s point was that you shouldn’t wait forever to take action in working towards your dreams.
He told an anecdotal story about a buddy who feels like he screwed up his life. He didn’t take enough chances. Now at the age of 50, he no longer feels motivated “energy-wise” to do anything about it.
Joe interjected at this point to say that the guy needs to fix his health.
Yes! I agree. Fix his health and his energy level will rise. I wholeheartedly agree with that opinion.
After hearing that, I decided to address the importance of planning for a healthy retirement.
Fifty is far too young to be looking towards the rocking chair on the porch.
Thus, taking care of your body is an essential ingredient to a successful retirement.
With that said, let’s take a look at when you should prepare for a healthy retirement.
When is the Best Time to Plan for a Healthy Retirement?
The fundamental answer is now, because, as they say, there is no time like the present.
Regardless of your age, whether you are 40, 50, or 60, if you are planning to retire someday, factoring in your health is a must.
And let me be clear. I don’t mean factoring in the costs of health care.
I mean factoring in your health care by taking charge of your body, and mind, through proper nutrition, exercise, and mental conditioning.
It requires a bit of discipline and taking care of your health is a lifelong project. However, it’s never too late to start because today is the first day of the rest of your life!
Besides, the results are worth it.
Here’s why.
Why Should I Prepare Now for a Healthy Retirement?
You should plan now for a healthy retirement because poor health can wreck your best retirement plans. And when you’re healthy, you’ll be happier as well.
Perhaps hiking, biking, and canoeing are on your list of things to do because you’ll have the time. Maybe you want to take a walking tour of an ancient city or hike around a must-see national park.
It requires a certain amount of strength and energy to do these things, and you want to be prepared when the opportunity arises.
You’ll want to:
- Have joint flexibility
- Display energy and enthusiasm about life
- Have leg strength to rise from a chair without moaning and groaning
- Walk with a spring in your step instead of shuffling around
- Be strong enough to open a jar of pickles
If you are only saving money for your retirement, you are overlooking the fact that you need a healthy body to enjoy it.
I dare say that no one has ever heard anyone say that money is more important than health.
Plan for a healthy retirement. Because when you feel good, the world of possibilities is endless.
Simple steps you can take to increase energy and live longer.
No one escapes the aging process. However, studies have shown that it’s not simply a toss of the dice as to how well you age.
It’s been proven that making simple changes in your lifestyle can increase your longevity, and improve your quality of life.
For example:
- Even if you are overweight, a brisk walk for 75 minutes a week can extend your life by 2 to 3 years.
- Resistance training either with free weights or your own body weight will help you maintain your physical strength and bone mass.
- A simple activity such as daily gardening can help you maintain strength and keep your brain active which helps to lower your risk of dementia.
These are not time-sucking activities, so there is really no excuse to not add them to your regular routine.
Make the time. Exercise your body. It’s the key to a happy and healthy retirement.
Conclusion
Financial planning for your retirement, yet ignoring your health is a mistake. Without health, you cannot enjoy all of the opportunities that retirement affords. Simple exercises such as walking and resistance training can increase your longevity, and improve your quality of life.
Last update: 02/17/21
Sources: Live Science, PLOS
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What have you done to prepare for a healthy retirement? Let us know in the comments below! And before you go, please take a moment to subscribe to our newsletter, and like us on Facebook!