Aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down—it’s a chance to embrace new ways to stay active and healthy! Every year, on the last Wednesday of May, National Senior Health and Fitness Day encourages us to celebrate the vitality that comes with staying fit at any age. This day reminds us how essential it is to maintain a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle as we get older. From boosting mobility to reducing health risks, there are countless ways to stay strong and engaged as the years go by.
Of course, the exact definitions of health and wellness are going to look different for everyone. Some people may prioritize physical strength, while others are more focused on social activity, mental health, or consistent habits. While we each have our own unique focus, the most effective approach will account for all these aspects—each playing a role in supporting overall health and wellness.
If you’re not already focusing on health and wellness goals as you age, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to begin. But there’s no need to stress—take it one step at a time! Thankfully, the first step is easy: make a plan. Whether you have concerns about the associated costs, are struggling to come up with ideas, worry about your ability to stay consistent, or having trouble balancing all of your goals, there are ways to tackle these challenges head on with awareness and research. Finding a plan that works for your individual needs—and checking in with your doctor to confirm it’s a good match— is the most important thing. And the best part? It’s never too late to get started.
In the spirit of this national celebration, let’s check out five ways to boost your wellness—and your wallet— with cost-efficient, diverse strategies that you can implement today!
5 Tips for Getting (and Staying) Healthy—Inside and Out
- Get Physical: It’s no secret that one of the most important pillars of health is physical fitness. But fitness isn’t just about hitting the gym—it’s about staying active in ways that work for your body. This can range from traditional categories of cardio, strength training, and stretching, to everyday activities such as walking, taking the stairs, and maintaining your range of motion. It can be a good idea to diversify your exercise to make sure you are getting a balanced mix of cardio, strength, and mobility exercises. Taking care of your body from all angles can ultimately help protect you from common age-related ailments while keeping you strong, flexible, and energized. And, as always, your doctor can help you determine what exercises would best work for your individual circumstance.
While the health and wellness industry has put out a booming variety of workout classes and products, they can often come with a hefty price tag. The good news? Staying active doesn’t have to break the bank! You can easily find local routes to walk, run, or bike, or find low-cost fitness apps and local classes at community centers to mix up your routine. Plus, one of the best parts about exercise is that it can be social. Bring along a family member or friend to keep you company, or better yet, keep you accountable! No matter how you decide to implement physical activity into your lifestyle, the most important thing is staying consistent and working within your means.
- Stay Social: If you’ve ever felt like spending time with loved ones and friends is the perfect pick-me-up, you’re not alone—and science agrees! A study conducted on social relationships found that as we age, those of us with stronger social ties were shown to have a 50% higher chance of living longer than those with poor or insufficient relationships.2 Staying connected to those we care about and nurturing our relationships can derive important feelings of happiness, fulfillment, and gratitude.
For those in retirement who may have taken a step back from coworkers and a regular routine out of the house, it can be especially important to prioritize social connection. Checking out events, classes, and other offerings at your local community centers can be a great way to stay involved and meet new people. And if getting out of the house poses a challenge, taking advantage of technology to help bridge the distance between family members and friends can be hugely beneficial. Setting up regular phone or video calls is an easy (and low cost!) way to check in with loved ones and stay connected.
- Fuel Your Body: When it comes to health, fueling your body with the right foods might not always be the most exciting task, but it’s undeniably one of the most important. And the good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated! Simply making it a priority to get a mix of protein, starches, vegetables, fruits, and grains from whole foods can go a long way—though if you have specific needs, your doctor can work with you in creating a tailored plan. Eating a balanced diet will make all the difference in maintaining your energy level, building muscle, and managing your weight.
If you find that fueling your body is an overwhelming task, start with small, manageable changes to your diet. Pick out a few healthy options each week to put into your rotation and make them easily accessible to yourself. A simple but effect change is committing to eating more meals at home instead of grabbing fast food or heading to a restaurant. And an additional benefit of cooking your own meals in lieu of going out is, of course, the cost-savings!
- Exercise Your Mind: Staying healthy means staying sharp! When you treat your brain as a muscle that needs regular exercise, you set up great habits to retain your cognitive strength. Getting into a rotation of stimulating games, puzzles, reading, writing, or any brainteasers that interest you, along with any passions or hobbies you have, can go a long way toward boosting your cognitive function. By creating a mix of hobbies and engaging mental exercises, you are in a prime position to keep your mental muscle strong—and also maximize your fun while doing so!
- Create Healthy Habits: Retirement often brings more free time and fewer obligations. While this can be exciting for some, most people thrive with a bit of routine. This is a perfect opportunity to rethink your daily habits and prioritize your wellbeing. Simple practices getting enough sleep, limiting tobacco and alcohol consumption, staying active, and keeping up with regular doctor visits can help you stay energized and positive. By incorporating healthy habits into your routine, you can make the most of your hard-earned retirement years!
Reaping the Benefits of Your Hard Work
From what we’ve covered today, it’s clear that making intentional healthy choices can pay off when it comes to your mental and physical wellbeing—but it can also pay off literally! When it comes to your financial fitness, prioritizing regular exercise, smart nutrition, and preventative care can lead to short-term savings as well as long-term benefits. In fact, according to the Fidelity’s 2024 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, the average 65 year old may need to spend $165,000 to cover health care expenses, a figure up 5% from 2023’s estimates.3 By prioritizing your health today and reducing your risk of chronic disease and mobility concerns, you can help decrease or even avoid costs of treatment down the road.
Of course, even with healthy habits in place, certain expenses simply can’t be avoided, and the rising costs of daily living—especially in retirement—can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s just as important to consider your financial health as your physical well-being. Exploring solutions like a reverse mortgage could provide the added support you need to maintain both.
If you feel like you could benefit from additional funds as you enter retirement and set new health and fitness goals, tapping into your hard-earned home equity with a reverse mortgage could be right for you. Designed for homeowners aged 62 and older, a reverse mortgage allows you to convert your home-equity into cash to use however you’d like. And another benefit? The loan doesn’t require monthly mortgage payments, as long as you keep up with your property taxes, homeowners insurance, and home maintenance.
Having a secure financial footing can allow you to live life to the fullest. To find out more about how a reverse mortgage could help support you and your wellbeing, contact the Longbridge team today.
