But the one answer most agree on is the importance of good health.

We all know how debilitating getting sick can be and, if it’s temporary, the relief when we recover and we can feel our healthy selves again. Staying well and healthy is important throughout life but it rises in importance in retirement.

Tips for staying well in retirement

Notice

Keep an eye on your health – have regular health checks, develop a relationship with a doctor you trust, notice if something changes and then seek advice. It’s always safer to get an opinion, consult an expert and take action. Many conditions can be easily addressed if they’re picked up early. 

Eat well

What you eat does impact your health. As you get older you need fewer kilojoules but more nutrients. A variety of foods from the key groups:

• vegetables and legumes
• fruit
• grains
• lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds 
• dairy – milk, yoghurt, cheese  

is essential.  Experts* recommend women over 70 eat four serves of dairy every day. It’s important to limit saturated fats, added salt, sugar, alcohol and low fibre but check with a health professional to ensure you have the right balance. The eatforhealth.gov.au website has useful tips.

Connect

Feeling part of a community that you enjoy can be the key to staying well. There are numerous ways to connect but sometimes it can be hard to know how to start. Here’s a few ideas - try group activities like singing, gardening, cycling, walking, painting, theatre, food, films – or join a club, whether it’s sporting, reading, animals, craft, exercise, language, travel or the larger, well known Rotary, Probus or National Seniors Australia organisations.   

Seek out bridge builders – those people in the community who have good connections, such as activity program coordinators and well connected friends, and ask them to introduce you to others. Being socially connected and feeling useful to family, friends or the community can contribute to staying healthy and living longer^.  Beyond Blue’s Connections Matter booklet has some good ideas and check out FriendLine, a support phone line if you’re feeling lonely.   

Move

Keeping active is vital to staying well. Regular exercise can help you increase muscle mass, strengthen bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, improve heart and lung fitness, keep joints supple which can minimise arthritis and maintain appropriate weight levels.

Enjoyable, safe ways to exercise are walking, swimming and cycling and it can be fun to make physical activity a social occasion by exercising with friends. It’s important to start off slowly and aim for small improvements and keep hydrated with water. Remember to check in with your doctor if you haven’t exercised recently+.      

Worry less 

Worrying about money is a common problem for people of all ages – but it doesn’t need to be. If you’re not sure how you’re tracking towards the finish line or want some help in maximising your super an Adviser from TelstraSuper Financial Planning can help you. 

You can get general and simple personal advice over the phone as part of your membership for no additional cost. You can also get more comprehensive advice which you’ll have to pay for but it can be paid for out of your super and they will provide you with the costs before proceeding with advice. So you can choose which level advice suits you the best. To book an appointment call 1300 033 166 or fill in our online form and we'll get back to you.