Talking Retirement Living

Whether it’s a stroll in the fresh air every day or choosing a colourful new hobby, there are endless ways to enjoy purposeful retirement and nourish your mind, body and soul. Much has been said about wellness. Whether it’s in the workplace or everyday life, there’s no denying the world is moving towards an active way of approaching well-being. While holistic health dates back more than 5000 years, the concept of wellness itself is inspired by the World Health Organisation’s principles and its definition of health — which is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Wellness, like our lifestyles, is multifaceted and takes into consideration the whole person, from your sleeping cycle to the richness of your relationships — even your social life. Essentially, wellness is about living fully and harmoniously to enjoy a happier, healthier life. And who doesn’t want that? In an Australian study led by the University of Sydney, lead researcher Dr Melody Ding found retirement was associated with “more physical activity, less sedentary behavior and healthier sleep patterns. A major life change, such as retirement, creates a great opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes — it’s a chance to get rid of bad routines and engineer new, healthier behaviours,” she said. So, how can you embrace this new-found opportunity? Think experimenting with different recipes to improve your diet, signing up to dancing lessons to move more and sit less, or setting a goal to do something completely extraordinary! There are countless ways to make wellness part of your world. Here’s some inspiration from the experts. Page 4 | Wellness Wellness | Page 5 State of being “A major life change such as retirement creates a great window of opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes” ❶ Try something new Despite our best efforts, time eludes us all — especially in working life. Research conducted by Genevieve Pepin and Brianna Deutscher for the British Journal of Occupational Therapy explored the benefits of “feeling freed from work commitments and constraints and having the liberty to make other occupational choices” in post-work life. Pepin and Deutscher identified “volunteer work, membership in leisure or social clubs, and travel” as possible ways to fill work-free days, but ultimately the choice of activities is up to you. A good place to start? Think about hobbies you’ve always wanted to try and take the plunge. A movie or book club? Or perhaps painting classes with a glass of wine in hand And if you feel like rewarding yourself with a spontaneous trip away, go for it! ❷ Think big Speaking from first-hand experience, retiree Marie- Louise Christoff has taken a more spiritual approach to wellness. “I practise gratitude, which is a good way of being mindful,” says Christoff. As part of a morning meditation, she focuses on what she’s grateful for. “I think about all the good things I have in my life – the people I meet, and nature. That’s mindfulness. I think it all goes hand-in-hand.” In fact, she credits meditation as the key contributor for her everyday peace of mind. You can hear more about her story on page 6. ❸ Get creative The beauty of creativity is that there are so many ways to embrace it; it could be creating something yourself or simply seeking inspiration from other people’s work. In an award-winning study by the University of Western Australia, researchers established the link between mental well-being and arts engagement. Lead author Dr Christina Davies found that “Arts engagement increases happiness, confidence, self-esteem and reduces stress and social isolation.” She says, “Whether a person preferred listening to music, reading, colouring, creative writing, watching movies or attending concerts, the knowledge that arts engagement positively impacts mental well-being was empowering.” Don’t consider yourself a particularly creative person? Don't let that stop you. There are plenty of benefits in being a spectator, too. It's just as important to check out the local jazz bar or movie theatre for your creativity fix. ❹ Stay engaged There are countless benefits to boosting your brain power. Aside from beating your friends at board games, keeping your mind stimulated improves cognitive ability and problem-solving skills. While the key to Einstein’s success may have been the 10,000 hours of mental stimulation training he engaged in, there’s plenty of everyday activities that are much more enjoyable. A good place to start? Crosswords, puzzles, writing, learning a new language or reading — nothing beats a good book. ❺ Step outside There’s no denying the benefit of a breath of fresh air. And by combining your daily dose of nature with a brisk wander, you can do wonders for your well-being. Not all of us have a beach or forest on our doorstep, so experts suggest spending time in green spaces, like local parks or communal outdoor areas. “Green space is an important determinant of health, not just because it enables physical activity but also because it has been shown to promote higher levels of mental well-being and social connectedness,” says Dr Annemarie Wright, Principal Project Officer, Knowledge and Health Equity for VicHealth. Include time outdoors in your routine by going for a morning stroll around the same time every day. ❻ Get sweaty Retiree Kay Scuteri stays active within her community by holding Q&A sessions with inspiring locals, but the one thing she makes sure she does is take at least three exercise classes per week. Teamed with a walk to the local beach – and a swim if it's not too chilly – she feels that's the best way for her to activate both her body and mind. To hear more about her retirement story, turn to page 6. Photography: Getty images