Our parents mostly worked from the age of 14 in the same or related industry that they started in and they were very glad to stop. In many cases, within a few years they died.

This is not our expectation; our lives have been full and ever changing, we hope to live to a good age and maybe still do some charity work or look after our Grandchildren. This needs some planning and thought.

Part of growing older is the increased instances of illness and infirmity. By taking a considered look at our life style, nutrition and exercise, we can make choices to have a long and healthy retirement.

For instance, start a regular exercise programme, now, whilst you still can and be one of those who can still run for a bus and stand erect at 90! Walk more, go swimming, clean your own windows (assuming you can reach without danger) digging the garden and polish your own car; add movement into your life. See if you can find a local dance hall, play bowls .... do something!

You have, no doubt, made many discoveries about yourself in your lifetime; now is the time to make some more. The discoveries you can make about yourself and the world around you, improves your chances of an old age, free from illness - especially mental illness. Keep learning something new, read the papers, do the crossword learn how to pay Sudoku.

A well functioning brain is a good target to aim for, fending off depression and dementia and increasing your enjoyment of life. We need our brain to focus, remember and plan.

Look at your diet with a critical eye; eating is about nourishing the body, not over filling it. Reducing the amount you eat as your activity levels naturally decrease is the best way to retain a youthful and slim appearance, but the type of food is just as important.

We have to have high quality nutrients from our food to keep our body repaired and fuelled.

1.   Eat more fish; this is brain food. If you are not too keen, then get Fish Oil supplements.

2.   Eat fresh vegetables; don’t buy too many at a time so you can eat them at their best.

3.   Don’t eat too much fruit; yes it is good for you but all fruit contains a high amount of sugar and this can aggravate condition like diabetes.

4.   Reduce the quantities of food that contain wheat flour, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta. These are the foods that help young people to grow fast and grow big; they help athletes with training as they release their fuel quickly. Not suitable for pensioners.

5.   Do not eat sugar; this one is so hard. I love chocolate and have to tell myself frequently ‘This is a mixture of fat and sugar, with very little cocoa and no nutritional value at all’. When this message ceases to work I get some 70% or 80% chocolate which IS good for me and have a very small piece.

6.   Go easy on coffee and ordinary tea; caffeine in quantity is hard on the liver. Some recent research has found that tea drinkers are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s than non tea drinkers but I beg to differ. My mother ‘drank tea for England’ and died of this 
  disease.

7.   Do drink green tea; loaded with antioxidants (the good stuff) and refreshing without milk. Drink water, this hydrates the body and prevents wrinkles - yes it does!

8.   Watch your alcohol intake; as we age our bodies are less efficient in using up and disposing of alcohol. Hangovers are not a good thing when you are passed 35! A glass of red wine a day is OK but can you stop at one?

9.   I am sure I don’t have to mention smoking - no of course not. Just don’t.

Learn to make some good choices; find a high quality, wide spectrum, all in one vitamin and mineral supplement. If you have joint pain, start taking Glucosamine, now proved to work over time. Ginseng is good for the memory (check with your Doctor if you are on any prescription drugs).

Look after your skin; this is the biggest organ in your body. Please keep covered in the sun. Get your eyes and teeth checked on a regular basis, I know this will cost but living with impaired vision and painful teeth is not much fun.

Learn to be optimistic, make this year the one when you actually DO the things you have been putting off for ages.

The more you do the better your self esteem will be and therefore the more you can do.

Build confidence and laughter into your life and the lives of those you live with or share your time with.

No one wants to be a miserable person, so you will be surrounded by wonderful people - just be happy yourself. Live life to the full and enjoy your retirement.

© Retired Magazines 2007