Maintaining your Brain Past Retirement

There are a number of helpful hints to consider keeping your brain healthy and sharp as a tack. By employing them or enhancing what you are already doing, you can expect to hold your own and outwit those younger whippersnappers.

You don't have to suffer that "old timer's" disease of a faulty memory. Just because you are getting older, that doesn't mean that your brain goes to atrophy. Just assume that your brain is like any muscle. You have to work it out in order for it to maintain its elasticity. You do not run out of brain cells. In fact, there are areas of the brain that produce new cells all the time. As you age, your style of learning and recall may differ but that doesn't mean losing your keys or forgetting your shopping list is an indicator of Alzheimer's disease.

There are a number of helpful hints to consider keeping your brain healthy and sharp as a tack. By employing them or enhancing what you are already doing, you can expect to hold your own and outwit those younger whippersnappers.

Things to do to keep your Brain Firing on all Cylinders

Exercising not only is good for the body, it is good for the brain. The flood of oxygen in the body from exercising keeps your brain clear and erases those "cobwebs". Exercising that brain power is another important detail. Take a continuing education class or two. Keep working those crossword puzzles. Anything that engages the brain to think and stretch is a good deal.

Volunteer and be social. Volunteering your time keeps you socially active which keeps depression at bay. Sometimes, retirees are so looking forward to no more work that when their retirement becomes a reality, they become bored quickly and some can become depressed. Keep that from happening to you by joining a book club or get active in your church or other social group.

Sleep is essential to keep the brain fog at bay. Without proper sleep and rest, your brain starts to lag behind. In addition, stress can do the same thing to the brain. If you are stressed about something, talk it over with a friend or other trusted person. Exercising and other activities relieve stress. You just have to find the right thing to help.

Retirement Advice 4. Find a stress-free part time job. Earning a few extra bucks during the golden years allows you to not only feel useful and earn a wage, but you also get to meet new people. Halt High Blood Pressure and Enjoy a Long, Healthy Retirement While high blood pressure aka hypertension can happen at any age, it seems that adults 55 years of age and older seem to get diagnosed more frequently. However, there are many things you can do, no matter how old you are, that can make a difference and greatly prolong your life. Retirement Advisor

Brain food is the name of the game for keeping those synapses firing in your head. Antioxidants, essential fatty acids like omega-3 and minerals and vitamins like the ones in the B family are all important. Choose a healthy, balanced diet that incorporates these things. Supplements might be helpful as well.

Basically all the vices that have cessation aids out on the market are taboo. Drinking impairs judgment and brain cells just as smoking and other tobacco products. In fact, smoking robs your brain of essential oxygen and hinders blood flow as well. If you indulge in a vice that is bad for you, dredge up the willpower to kick the habit.

Do not avoid the doctor. If there is something wrong with you health-wise, it is still going to be happening whether you go to the doctor or not. By keeping your yearly physicals and checking in when you are ill or are concerned about a health issue, you are putting off the brain drain. Check all your medications and see if anything in your diet such as foods, vitamins, minerals or other drugs could be hindering your thoughts and general brain power. There are adverse drug interactions all the time and many older people suffer through them because they are usually the ones on the most medication.

The bottom line is to avoid staying in denial. Get checked out by a doctor and engage your brain. If you have a problem, face it head on and find a solution. Staying proactive is a large part in maintaining your brain through retirement.

Living a Healthy Retirement

07/22/2008
Erickson Retirement Communities retains BBDO to handle advertising (BizJournals)
Catonsville-based Erickson Retirement Communities has hired BBDO Atlanta to develop its national marketing strategy.

Erickson Retirement Communities retains BBDO to handle advertising (BizJournals)

07/22/2008
Unwise Spending Can Sandbag Retirement Security (Carteret County News-Times)
(ARA) - When it comes to financial health in retirement, how much you set aside for your senior years is only half the story. Equally important is how you invest and spend what you've saved, and a recent survey indicates more than 50 percent of retirees aren't spending wisely.

Unwise Spending Can Sandbag Retirement Security (Carteret County News-Times)

07/22/2008
Retire Smart: Health-care costs on record pace (The Columbus Dispatch)
A couple retiring today at 65 could need $295,000 in savings just to cover premiums for health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses in retirement.

Retire Smart: Health-care costs on record pace (The Columbus Dispatch)

07/23/2008
Governor urges board to release retirement data to police group (Helena Independent Record)
Gov. Brian Schweitzer is again urging the board that oversees the Montana public employees retirement system to release information to a group that represents police officers.

Governor urges board to release retirement data to police group (Helena Independent Record)

07/23/2008
The Demi Moore Model of Retirement Planning (US News & World Report)
Women's top retirement anxieties, and 3 steps to quell them.

The Demi Moore Model of Retirement Planning (US News & World Report)

07/22/2008
Top 5 healthiest hometowns for retirement (MSNBC)
The place you choose to live during retirement could have a big impact on your health and longevity. AARP The Magazine lists five great cities that could make all the difference during the golden years.

Top 5 healthiest hometowns for retirement (MSNBC)

07/23/2008
Governor urges board to release retirement data to police group (Helena Independent Record)
Gov. Brian Schweitzer is again urging the board that oversees the Montana public employees retirement system to release information to a group that represents police officers.

Governor urges board to release retirement data to police group (Helena Independent Record)