Healthy Retirement

Healthy Body

Now that you have more time, spend some of it on physical activity. If you can, join a gym. Is there a bike path nearby? Walk the bike path. In bad weather, walk the mall. Senior centers usually offer exercise classes geared to elders of all levels. As your doctor probably tells you, just keep moving.

• If you want to work out on the Medford campus, you can purchase a membership to the Tufts Athletic Facilities at the fitness center desk on the second floor of the Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center. Call the fitness desk at 617-627-5215.

Healthy Mind

Keep your mind energized. Keep learning. Read, do crossword puzzles or Sudoku. Try brain games. Experts say that even something as simple as changing your route home or as complex as learning a foreign language will help keep your brain engaged. You can start with the options below:

• The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at Tufts and other nearby campuses provide both on-campus study groups and on-line e-learning courses on a wide variety of subjects.
• The Evergreen Program at Boston University is also open to retirees age 58 or over. You can attend seminars given by BU faculty or audit many graduate and undergraduate courses.
• If you move to another region, check out the college or university near you for available programs. For instance, Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut offers an Open Yale Courses

Healthy Engagement

For most of us, work was our primary activity. Now, we need to find other, fun activities to take the place of work. If you are interested in travel, Road Scholar offers experiential learning adventures in locations around the country and around the world.

Many people find that retirement is an excellent chance to try out a different career. Perhaps you can work or teach part-time or you may volunteer. Many organizations are looking for volunteers to help out on a part-time or a full-time basis. The All for Good website provides a database of volunteer opportunities nationwide, and is a good place to start.

Healthy Community

Be sure to keep a support system in place wherever you go and whatever you do. Whether it’s family, friends, or new friends – all of us need support and encouragement in good times and bad. Now that you will see less of your coworkers, be sure you have resources to take their place.

• Consider taking a trip with the Tufts Travel-Learn Program. You may choose to visit a castle in the Dordogne Valley or learn about Viking heritage in Reykjavik. Many trips include faculty hosts. Retirees welcome!
• Visit our country’s diverse and beautiful national parks. Purchase a National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass for a lifetime Senior Pass to any federally operated recreation site in the U.S.
• Your local town or city Senior Center may have interesting day or overnight trips available.