This week I came across a video on how The Hardest State of Life is Between 65 and 75 – which is where I am currently. As I discover more resources on retirement, many of them say the same things, maybe in different ways. Please listen to this almost 20 minute video; here is a brief summary:
- Try to do something different every day. It doesn’t have to be anything major, it can be as simple of changing slightly how you spend your day, or the path you walk when you go outside. ‘Novelty’ keeps your brain active rather than if you keep repeating the same things.
- Make sure you have regular social contact. Whether you do it through in person visits, online chats or telephone calls, make it a priority to stay engaged with others. Don’t wait for people to come to you first.
- Learn how to accept help from others. Especially as we grow older, we won’t be able to do everything ourself. Others will help you, but you have to be willing to accept it.
- Willingness to do things may stop before the body does. For example, if you stop incorporating exercise into your daily routine, you may quickly find that your abilities to do them fade. Walking is an activity most of us can continue to do.
- Most of us have experienced loss of people, things and places we once were connected to. Cherish the memories of your past, but keep yourself open to discovering new experiences
- We may no longer have commitments to our family and to our work, so we need to find a new purpose. You’ll need to try different things before you find what is meaningful for you. Finding a way to help someone else is a great place to start.
Let’s make the most of this stage of our life!