Retire your work, NOT your health.

MANY of us have to face dramatic changes once we are past 50. Not only does one have to cope with the physical changes that come with ageing, but also the potential loss of friends, independence, and a life-engaging career.

For the workaholic, retirement may be tough to cope with initially. For others who have a plan, it may be long-awaited relief. Depending on our attitude towards retirement, the future that retirees face can either be happy and healthy ... or painful and problematic.

Staying healthy actually helps protect your financial wellbeing when you retire. Unless you retire with health benefits, you probably need to buy your own health insurance policy. Your health status may have a bearing on the cost of your insurance policy. By staying healthy, visits to the doctor and hospitalisation are also minimised. This saves expense, time, worry, and energy. Your capacity to take on part-time work and enjoy a more active lifestyle also increases.

Think about it - the fewer health complaints you have, the less burdened and happier you and your loved ones will be, in more ways than one.

Start with this basic 10-point check!

1. Know your cholesterol. Get a simple blood test done to determine if you have high cholesterol. Then do the necessary to keep the level healthy. Research has shown that for every 1% reduction in blood cholesterol, you reduce your chances of a heart attack by 2%!

2. Sugar level check. As we age, our body's ability to move sugar from the blood into the cells also weakens, resulting in glucose intolerance and the onset of diabetes. Get a fasting blood sugar level test performed at least once a year.

3. Arteries. As we age, "sludge" or plaque also accumulate on the walls of the arteries. Smoking further promotes build-up of plaque in your arteries, choking your heart of oxygen. So if you smoke, quit!

4. Check for high blood pressure or hypertension. Follow your doctor's advice on diet and exercise.

5. Check your Body Mass Index. Determine if you are underweight, overweight, or within the range of a healthy weight. Eat sensibly. To calculate your BMI, go to www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi.

6. Bone density. A decrease in bone density is to be expected with age. Are you paying attention to it by taking adequate nutrients and doing weight-bearing exercises?

7. Muscle health. Muscle loss has more to do with disuse than age! Good muscles translate into good metabolism, better cardiovascular health, and vital protection from insulin resistance and cholesterol problems. Are you moving your muscles enough?

8. Stress. Are you often irritable and moody? Stress raises your blood pressure. Learn to relax through meditation, deep breathing exercises, listening to soothing music, and visualising pleasant scenes.

9. Emotional health. Bottling up your feelings aggravates your mental and emotional health. Find someone to talk to; or write your feelings down.

10. Balance. Be aware that the perfectionist, all-or-nothing thinking, and negative thinking can alienate one from people and add on the stress. Try to lower your expectations and learn to accept things that you cannot change. Focus on what's good rather than on what's negative and turn problems into opportunities.

As we age, it becomes more important that we eat more calcium, fibre, iron, protein, and vitamins A, C and B complex. Do eat a variety of foods to get the full spectrum of nutrients. Variety often is lacking in the diets of seniors, who often eat the same foods over and over again.

If you have constipation, do try health and nutritional beverages with fibre that cater for the elderly. Drink lots of water.

However, healthy aging is more than simply being physically healthy. It's also about continuing to maintain a sense of purpose, meaning, and joy in everything you do. By reinventing yourself, adapting to changes, staying socially active and being connected to people. Take time to nourish your spirit with activities you enjoy.

There will be changes and what had given your life purpose may vanish. You will stop having a job that once occupied your weekdays. Your children will move away. Instead of stopping, numbed in your tracks, move on.

Partake in activities that you enjoy:

Join a tai chi or yoga class.
Designate days when you can play with your grandchildren.
Adopt a pet from the animal pound.
Pick up a long neglected or new hobby.
Learn a new skill.
Go for long walks or go fishing.
Do things you never found time for before, e.g. visit the museum or go to a play or musical.
Travel to a place you've never been before.
Stay connected with people. Loneliness and isolation are not good ingredients in the recipe for aging well. There are ways to build your network.

Meet regularly with family and friends. Spend time with people you love and like. It could be an old buddy, that funny neighbour, or your children. If you can't leave home, invite them over.
Interact with at least one person face-to-face each day. It enlivens your otherwise lonely day.
Make new friends. Make it a point to befriend people who are younger. They offer a refreshing perspective and add energy to life!
Volunteer for community projects. You will meet people who share the same values or care about similar issues. It can also be a very enriching experience when you help others. For the housebound, you can do voluntary work through the phone!
Join a support group. Participate in a support group with people who are going through the same challenges. You?ll find solace knowing that you are not alone.
And remember to laugh! A good sense of humour gives the mind and body balance, energy, and happiness. You learn to look at life's difficulties in a light-hearted kind of way and acquire a more positive frame of mind. People you meet will find you more engaging, and you'll make more friends!

Retiring can be more enriching than you think when you have all the essential ingredients for success. Begin with good health.

This article is courtesy of Kotra Pharma.