Did you know you can sell all or a portion of a life insurance policy, even term insurance?
(4 minute read)
Retirement is a truly special time in life because it can look so different from the years that came before it. Instead of the constant demands of school or work or raising a family, retirees are free to set their own goals and expectations for themselves. That’s quite liberating, but it also brings with it the need for real consideration: What am I going to choose to do now?
For many seniors, setting and reaching goals for a healthy life takes on newfound importance. No matter what you plan to do, a focus on physical activity and healthy habits can make a significant impact on both your quality and quantity of life; in fact, just 15 minutes of exercise per day could add up to three years to your life.
Whether you’re a retiree yourself working hard on your health or know a senior who might benefit from a little extra help, here are some tips from the experts for successfully achieving health goals in retirement.
Before Setting A Goal, Focus on the “Why”
It’s easy to set an arbitrary goal, like “I want to lose 30 pounds.” But without a real sense of purpose, it can be easy for anybody to lose steam on the long road towards making that vision a reality. According to the Institute on Aging, older adults should focus on the desired outcome of that goal. Sure, we all know it’s a good step to lose extra weight. But that’s a rather academic reason to shed the pounds, and it might not be enough to help you wake up for that early-morning walk when the temperature dips below freezing. If, however, you know you want to lose weight to make it easier to keep up with your grandkids, suddenly that weight loss feels more like just another item on a checklist.
Framing your health goals in terms of the benefits you’ll receive can also help you set realistic expectations for yourself. Losing 30 pounds sounds great, but it’s also a big undertaking. If your goal shifts from losing an arbitrary amount of weight towards being more active with your family, it’s easier to see your progress and celebrate it along the way.
Plan Your Progress
Once you’ve put your goals into perspective, the next step is to make a real plan to reach them. Most health goals involve changes to our lifestyles, like adding new activities to our routine or learning to cut behaviors that aren’t beneficial. It can take anywhere from 18 days to nearly a year for people to form new habits, and it typically takes 66 days for a habit to become automatic.
With that in mind, take some time to write out a plan that gets you at least a couple of months along the way towards your goal. Maybe your ultimate goal is to transition to a more balanced diet. Start planning your meals in advance, introducing more and more of the ingredients you’d like to be eating as time goes by. This also introduces another important tip from the Institute on Aging: start small. Begin with just two or three new, well-rounded meals per week at first, and increase the number of healthy meals in your meal plan as the weeks go by.
This works for any kind of health goal. If you’re more focused on introducing new activities like walking, make a plan to start with a few 15-minute walks per week. Decide when you’ll start increasing the length or frequency of your walks—then stick to your plan!
Seek Motivation from Friends
It might sound surprising, but spending more time with friends and loved ones is a health goal you can work towards. In fact, studies show that maintaining a healthy social circle can have a myriad of benefits, from improving heart and brain function, to even helping you live 50% longer! In the company of others who may share the same goals you have for your retirement years, you can reap the rewards of social engagement while finding an ongoing source of motivation for those times when your resolve wavers.
The Institute on Aging recommends sharing your goals and any progress you’ve made with loved ones—and don’t shy away from their praise! Taking the time to celebrate with others can serve as a well-deserved reward for your hard work. And beyond simply telling loved ones about your goals, including them in the journey has shown to be a winning strategy. Having a workout buddy, for example, helps you to share accountability. Studies have also shown that working out with others can make the task much more enjoyable than putting in the work by yourself.
There’s No Time Like Today!
Whatever your unique goals for your mind and body in retirement, remember to always stay focused on the reasons you’re working to change your life. With a clear vision for the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, a plan you can follow, and the support of friends along the way, you can make your retirement years your healthiest—and happiest—yet.
Did you know you can sell all or a portion of a life insurance policy, even term insurance? Selling an unwanted life insurance policy is no different than selling your car, home or any other valuable asset that will create immediate cash. Contact us today to learn more.
Leo LaGrotte
Life Settlement Advisors
llagrotte@lsa-llc.com
1-888-849-0887
