Most of us dream about retirement and look forward to the day when we won’t be tethered to a 40-50 hour work week. But did you know that leaving the working world behind can raise your risk of heart disease and other medical conditions up to 40%?https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/protect-against-a-retirement-risk

Frankly, I refuse to fall into that trap and I bet you want to as well.

According to Dr. Alicia Arbaje of Johns Hopkins Medicine, you can combat these increased risks by making a plan. Here are the three things she recommends including:

1. Redefine work – Instead of working in the traditional sense, try volunteering to give yourself a renewed sense of purpose. Older adults who volunteer at least 100 hours a year (that is less than 2 hours a week) were 2/3 less likely to have poor health and 1/3 less likely to die than non volunteers. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/protect-against-a-retirement-risk
2. Redefine your relationship with your spouse – Plan your time together and separately so both of your expectations for retirement are clear.
3. Reclaim your health – Take the extra time to schedule health checks you might have been putting of. Eat healthier and take time to walk or exercise.

What do you think readers? Are you willing to make a plan with me?