Getting Up a Good Head of Steam

When you were thinking about the life you would live as a senior citizen, you may have held that old idea of sitting on a rocking chair and watching the world go by.  That silly idea for some reason seems like an ideal situation for people in their golden years.

But what is ideal for you from a quality of life point of view is to be an active and energetic senior citizen and not to see retirement as your time to stop moving about completely.  In fact, there are plenty of good reasons that you should get out and walk every day.  If you make it as much a part of your daily routine as your morning coffee, there are tons of great benefits that you will reap.

Of course, your kids and your doctor already been on you about the benefits of walking for your health. And those are valid to be sure.  Walking will keep your blood flowing, improve your circulation, do your appetite a world of good and keep your joints and muscles limber and exercised.

What that means is that the more you walk, the longer you will be able to walk.  So if you see older seniors around your neighborhood or in your retirement apartment moving about in wheelchairs or walkers and you don’t like that prospect for yourself, then get out of that chair and get out there and walk.

But there are many benefits that making walking part of your lifestyle can bring your way that have nothing to do with health.  That tired out old phrase of “getting some fresh air” has more wisdom to it than you know.  As you continue to process your transition from a busy adult life to retirement life, there is a lot to think bout.  For good solid decision making, there is nothing better than a brisk walk with all the oxygen it will give to your brain.

You should make it policy never to make a decision late at night, after a few drinks or when you are upset if you have not gotten out of your home for a few days.  Hold that major decision for the walking trail. If you have good blood flow and your breathing is up giving you good oxygen to your thinking apparatus, you will be at your mental peak to make good decisions.

But let’s not overlook the social benefits of walking.  If you are a single senior citizen, to put it bluntly, walking is a great place to meet members of the opposite sex. And if you want to meet that senior gal that has the kind of spunk you have or that great guy who wants to live life to its fullest, you are going to meet those people out and about walking and staying active.  It sounds strange to say so, but the walking trails where senior citizens go the most are great “pick up” spots simply because it is so easy to join someone interesting on a walk and get to know them in a non-threatening manner.

Use some creativity in where you walk and when.   You can work a good walk in with an errand or to see a part of the city you always wanted to explore.  If you can still drive, get to know the many walking trails in town and become a regular there.  The younger people will get around you and they will get a big kick out of seeing you out there as well.

But more than that, you will get a big kick out of walking every day.   The endorphins from this exercise are a better high than your evening cocktail.  And that walk can be great fun and a time to meet new friends and have some interesting adventures as well.