Lifestyle
Retirement
March 13, 2020

An Active Retirement

Stewart Willis
CEO / Partner

We’ve all heard that exercise is good for us, but what about as we get older? Over the course of a career spent working countless hours and long nights, we may have gotten somewhat out of shape. We might think it’s too late to get back into shape by the time we’re retired, or pointless to carve out time for physical activity, but this isn’t true. Incorporating more physical activity into your day could be a good way to spend your free time in retirement. For starters, it could help you stay active for longer, and combat heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.[1] Exercise may even help with conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.[2] Here are three types of exercise to help you have an active retirement.

Aerobic Exercises

Doing aerobic exercise for just 30 minutes a day could have an impact. Activities like walking, stationary cycling, and swimming are all good examples of ways to get your heart rate up. These exercises can also help increase the body’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues. If you get tired easily, breaking up the 30 minutes period into three 10 minute intervals is another option.

Stretches

It’s important to stretch before working out. Stretching helps warm up muscles and cool them down slowly, reducing the chance of injury. It’s also helpful for reducing soreness, stiffness, and maintaining flexibility. Activities like yoga and Pilates focus on stretching and flexibility. Stretching can also allow you to take note of how your muscles feel, and any pain points, as well as limitations.

Balance Exercises

Improving your balance now may help to prevent falls when you’re older.[3] There are a few simple exercises you can do anywhere to practice your balance. One is standing on one leg – this sounds easy, but it’s surprisingly hard to do for 30 seconds. Another is to pretend you’re on a tightrope and walk heel-to-toe in a straight line while holding your arms straight out to the side. Looking at a fixed spot in front of you can help you balance.

The professionals at Alpha 1 can focus on your financial well-being while you focus on your physical well-being. Retirement can be a time to focus on yourself, so take time to plan for the next 30 plus years of your life. We offer complimentary reviews so you can meet us and start the conversation about your retirement goals.

Other blog

3 Things to Know Before Making Summer Travel Plans

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many things, including canceled trips. Americans are now wondering about summer travel plans, and if it’s wise to make them before the country fully reopens. Just because everything isn’t completely back to normal yet doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t take a vacation this summer – even if it means staying closer to home than you originally planned. Here are three things to know before making summer travel plans.

Learn More

Can and Will You Retire in a Crisis?

Life is unpredictable, and there are a number of events that can impact our finances, from global pandemics to personal crises. And while adjustments sometimes may need to be made to get back on track, no one wants to put off an event like retirement because they feel forced to. It’s important to take stock of what you have and what you’ll need if you’re nearing or entering retirement. No rule says you must put off retirement, or that your desires are beholden to the state of the world when you reach retirement age.

Learn More

3 Ways to Stay Safe As We Get Back to Normal

America is starting to reopen, but that doesn’t mean the threat of the coronavirus is gone. While we can all be thankful for looser social distancing measures, it’s still important to think about safety. Here are 3 ways to stay safe as we get back to normal.

Learn More