| For many of us retirement means a chance to relax | | | | 2 - Stay in contact with friends. |
| after years of working hard five days (or more) a | | | | Staying active is much easier and much more |
| week. Yet it is easy to let that relaxation get the | | | | enjoyable if you have someone to do it with. There's |
| better of you, leading to low fitness levels, too much | | | | nothing better than a country walk with friends... |
| time spent indoors and poor health. | | | | especially if it ends up at the local pub for lunch. Golf, |
| Thankfully there are several simple ways to make | | | | swimming, bowls and many other activities are also |
| sure this doesn't happen - and none of them require | | | | ideal for two or more to enjoy together. |
| a gym membership or running shoes! | | | | 3 - Staying active doesn't just mean in a physical |
| 1 - Make small changes daily to ensure you stay | | | | sense - it helps to stimulate the brain too. |
| active. | | | | Going from a full time job to retirement is a huge |
| There may be no need to go out at all some days, | | | | shift in anyone's life. Taking it easy is one thing - |
| but if you do - even if only for a short walk - your | | | | stopping altogether is quite another! |
| overall health will benefit. Why not leave the car at | | | | Find out about volunteering at your local charity shop, |
| home when you need to pop into town? That brisk | | | | or helping in the community in some other way. Not |
| walk first thing in the morning to grab a daily paper | | | | only will you stay active, you'll make new friends - |
| will set you up for the day, and the fresh air will do | | | | and make a real difference as well. |
| wonders for waking you up! | | | | |