An analytical approach to retirement?

I think it's very interesting jane10.
It's often not until you see something written down that you can see things in proportion and objectively. It might be easy to think that you weren't getting much social contact, or much exercise, and then find when you looked at the figures that in fact you were.
It might even be a useful tool for GPs or counsellors to help them assess someone who was feeling depressed.

I keep detailed household accounts for the same reason - it just makes far more sense to be able to see where the money goes rather than just how much money is in the bank account (or not) at the end of the month.

I also have found it an interesting idea and I intend to record my activities over the next few weeks to see how I'm doing. For years I have kept a food diary, on a very simple system, to help ensure I am eating a healthy diet. I find it very easy otherwise to fool myself.

It's horses for courses, isn't it?

Interesting thinking Jane10 and good to review the balance of life at all ages. In one of tomorrows papers (just been watching the paper review) it say a brisk 20 minutes walk a day is all you need to stay healthy.

Can't do brisk anymore. What about 30 minutes of more sedate but still out of breath walking?

I think it's doing something that's important Jen so that should be fine. I have realised that walking in a small village (without a dog) is quite difficult/different.

Walking with DGSs is extremely interactive but not very brisk! Occasional dashes though mostly shouting "No"!

I think the idea of recording what you do is fine, for a short time, anyway. Just to see what life balance you have, as distinct from what you think you have (wink). We're in a couple of walking clubs, nothing too strenuous, ages range from 50s through to 80s so lots of interesting people to get to know. Though as we often end up in a tea shop, any hope of weight loss is out of the window....boo! The other activity which I've found beneficial is yoga. Again, not too demanding, you just do what you can comfortably cope with. Tennis and cycling though - wow! hats off to those of you who can! (smile)

Ooops, just realised wrong sort of brackets so the icons for and didn't come up.

Long before I retired I decided to move somewhere where exercise was a natural part of my day, walking to shops, cafes to meet friends etc., even if it was just to my local town. I'm not disciplined enough to follow an exercise regime you see. Now rarely a day goes by without at least an hour of walking, 15 minutes to the city centre each way, 30 minutes to pick up grandson, 15 minutes to Pilates class. We live in a place where to go by car is not worth the bother! Life is by no means perfect so I'm not being smug but I do feel I've got the exercise right for me. As to Alzheimer's, well, you either get it or you don't.

I agree with Vagasmags who wrote 'I find it very difficult to turn acquaintances into friends. It always seems to be that most people already have established friendships and are not looking for new friends.'

After the death of two of my friends recently I decided that I would need to be more proactive in making friends.

I have friends from school etc that live miles away and I keep up with telephone calls and cards etc. But I do miss those who live within a short travelling distance. So I reviewed in my mind who are the friends that I regularly meet up with. It seemed to me that they all had cars - I live in the country off a bus route and they were single or widowed women.

I then did 2 things.

1) Took more interest in the people I was meeting at classes and on finding single women whom I liked spent more time talking to them. I discovered that they were quite often the quieter ones in the group whom I had overlooked. one of these turned out to be a retired librarian who later visited me at home so that we could review my book shelves and decide how to send some books off to charity. I chat to her now every time we meet in class.

2) I looked at my address book developed over the years and rang those who were single/widowed. One had responded to my Christmas card, on ringing her we arranged to meet up half way between our homes and had a lovely pub lunch, walk and tea in a bakers shop at seaside village which was a place she had not visited before.

So I think one has to stay proactive. From time to time I look at my book by Michael Argyle The Anatomy of Relationships: And the Rules and Skills Needed to Handle Them Successfully.

It will soon be time to take granddaughter to school again. Downhill there, so uphill on the way back, 4000 steps, I have discovered.

My grandson tells me off for breathing on the uphill stretch. The last time he asked why I couldn't breathe through my nose, so I said I do not get enough oxygen in my lungs to keep up with him. He runs 5k in 22 minutes. How can you keep up with that?

Let's all make an effort to be open to new people. A friend said she'd moved into a friendly office but colleagues had "no vacancy for friendship". Someone said to me they don't want to meet any new people as they couldn't keep up with the friends they have - as a newcomer to the area I felt somewhat deflated! Let's be the ones that are friendly

Well done Emily ! Poor frue don't be deflated. I bet lots of people are sitting at home wishing someone would phone or drop in. You are quite right to be the friendly one. Have people got a "Streetlife" website near them? -I'm not advertising btw- I found out about it by accident and now I get an email every day with postings from people wanting to inform people in their neighbourhood about various activities and events as well as queries about good tradesmen, what that funny noise is etc etc etc. Could be worth checking. I found a nice book group and some of us are meeting up to discuss a walking group soon. Where would we be without the internet!

Can I suggest you research if there is a Walking for Health group
near you? I have been walking with our local group every week for the last 5 years since I retired. We only walk for an hour. You can go more frequently if you like. They are not so "keen" as the ramblers and don't walk as far or as fast!

My new (2nd hand from one of the young folks) counts my steps. I'm very pleased to be averaging 8000 a day despite various aches n pains in the hips and knee. This morning I walked one of the big reservoirs near where I live, it was great. Beautiful views and we met other grey haired walkers, loving their retirement.

Wow 8000 steps a day! Well done. I have researched Walking for Health groups and there are 4 groups near us but they seem to have chosen to meet at exactly the same days and times that I can't do! Very frustrating. However, we're persevering with a Streetlife one.

Some excellent ideas! For the fortunate of course-the answer lies in the soil-nothing like gardening!