Retirement is meant to be some of the best years of our lives, but nothing will ruin retirement faster than health issues. Being health conscious is important in any stage of life, but in our retirement years, good healthcare is critical to our quality of life. It is statistically the phase of life where people lean on their healthcare system the heaviest, so preparing our health for retirement is also very important. Everyone’s body chemistry and health needs are different, but generally speaking, the basic things a person can do to care for their personal health in retirement are eating a nutritious diet, staying physically active and following their doctor’s advice.

Nutrition is an obvious facet of good health, and in a person’s golden years, nutrition can mean the difference between a happy retirement and an unhappy one. When we are in our fifties and sixties, our bodies are more prone to certain kinds of diseases than in our youth, and managing our diets its one of the best ways of preventing these diseases. For example, grapes have been found to contain cancer fighting nutrients, the calcium in dairy has been found to prevent osteoporosis, switching from butter to olive oil can prevent heart disease and working jalapenos into your diet gives you an incredible amount of immune system support.

Physical activity is another healthy lifestyle choice, and a critical one in a person’s retirement years. As the body ages, muscle mass deteriorates, bones become more brittle and joints become more stiff. Neglecting physical activity will worsen these symptoms of aging and can render a person immobile over time. Flexibility should be one of the primary focuses of a senior person, as it is one of the first things to deteriorate over time. Stretching and doing yoga are several excellent ways of retaining flexibility into your retirement years. Muscle strengthening and burning calories are much needed in retirement years as well, when joints and bones are less agile and metabolism is slower.

And lastly, having regular doctor’s visits is very important for seniors. The initiative to stay healthy should always come from you, and being proactive with your health is essential, but when there is no home remedy for what ails you, a trusted physician is necessary. Your doctor can guide you through using medications appropriately so that you do not require treatment for substance abuse. They can also diagnose your personal health issues, give you nutrition advice and keep you on track to meet your health goals.