This blog is not just for 65 year olds or those just about to retire. In fact, the younger you are when you read this, the more valuable this message will be to you.  

From the time we enter the workforce in our young twenties, somewhere in our mind is that distant goal of retirement. The phase of life when we have no set obligations and can choose to pursue our passions or choose not to pursue anything at all. Having the freedom to choose how you spend your time usually only comes after decades of hard work, preparation, sacrifice, planning and savings.  

Is your vision for retirement to travel the world, explore the great outdoors, golf everyday of the week, pursue a new passion, volunteer to give back or even re-live the feeling of youth through the eyes of your grandchildren?  To enjoy all of these things in retirement, it takes more than just financial resources.  Without a focused plan on bettering your strength, flexibility and mobility, you may find your hopeful vision of retirement to be a fallacy.    

I see it all too often.  People spend the majority of their life working with their focus on achieving a financial goal to reach to be able to retire.  They overlooked the need to invest in themselves so that they will actually be able to physically enjoy the adventures of retirement.  Within their first few months of “living the good life”, their neglect of the health and mobility investment soon catches up.  They find themselves spending more time in doctor’s offices, going for medical tests, possibly getting surgeries and lots of time in rehabilitation.  This is not how they envisioned their retirement.  Even worse, these unforeseen health challenges can financially limit your retirement plans too.  

If you plan to retire…ever, then visit www.RetireBetterWithPT.com to find out how to prepare yourself to be able to live out all those retirement adventures you are hoping for. 

Here are a few thoughts to consider / tips to follow:

Don’t just try to improve your assets, manage your liabilities. Despite having good “health assets”, such as good genetics or some base of physical activity, a single small health liability can cause the whole plan to crumble.  For example a low level nagging back pain over years of a sedentary desk job can quickly escalate to requiring back surgery after just a couple of weeks of starting to play golf again when you retire.  Or the sharp, but only brief knee pain when you get up from your chair or go up stairs, left unchecked is now constant after picking up pickleball. Now you’re facing a knee replacement.  Said otherwise, your physical liabilities will not just fade away when you retire. They will likely come to the forefront due to your change of activities.  Take care of them now so as not to waste precious retirement time.  

Your investments take time, but they also have a compounding effect. Financial plan for retirement takes time, but the earlier you get started, the more the investment compounds.  The same is true with a physical plan for retirement.  You can’t wait until just before retirement to get going on your physical plan. Rushing it will certainly cause setbacks. Get the benefits of a steady play with compounding effects by starting early.  

Consult a professional retirement planner for your physical health.  Managing your own financial investments for retirement can be risky.  Similarly, despite good intentions, just winging it with your physical retirement plan could send you in the wrong direction.  Getting a professional assessment with a customized plan to get the most out of your efforts will ensure greater return and preparedness for retirement adventures.  Our Doctors of Physical Therapy are specialists identifying potential musculoskeletal and mobility issues that can be addressed preventatively to allow an enjoyable retirement.  It’s never too early to start investing in your health.  If you plan on retiring anytime in the next 5, 10, 15 or even 20 years, then let’s get a plan going for you.  Get our complementary assessment at www.RetireBetterWithPT.com.  

Better With Physical Therapy is located within the Madison Area YMCA. 973-270-7417.