6 healthy habits to cultivate in retirement

When your calendar is suddenly blank, it might be tempting to throw away the routine you followed when you were still working. However, this might do you more harm than good.

If you don’t have a set bedtime, and you no longer use an alarm clock, your sleep rhythm could become negatively affected which might also affect your mealtimes and your overall physical health. Consider giving yourself a set bedtime each night and get out of bed at the same time each morning.

A steady routine can benefit your mental health too. And don’t let the word “routine” scare you away, your retirement schedule could be as simple as exercising in the morning, running errands in the afternoon and enjoying dinner with friends at night.

Make a point to get creative. Research has shown that participating in creative activities could support the well-being of senior adults. Creativity can even lead to a longer life, making this one of the healthiest habits for longevity! 

Creative activities to try might include:

A creative hobby benefits your mental and emotional health and makes for a fun way to pass the time. Get your grandchildren in on the fun if they live nearby.

Strengthen your mental and physical health with mindfulness and self-care. Retirement might bring unexpected emotional challenges, such as boredom or loneliness. Mindfulness can help promote a healthy retirement.

To put mindfulness into practice, use all of your senses throughout the day. Focus on tasting the flavors in the food you eat, feeling the soft fur of a pet or breathing in a lungful of the fresh morning air.

Self-care are things that helps you take care of your physical and emotional well-being. This will look different for everybody and will likely vary day by day or week by week depending on your changing needs. Take the time to do the things you know will improve your physical and mental health.