We still haven’t had any luck finding the fountain of youth, so we all have to go through the inevitable – ageing. But though our skin may lose its elasticity, our body parts may not function as well they used to, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our golden years. Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of our labour. After struggling through school, going to a job we didn’t like everyday, raising those hard-headed, think-they-know-it-all children; it’s now time to take a permanent vacation from it all. These are the years when we should be free to relax, enjoy our grandchildren, socialize and travel. Finally, you have the time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. You can treat yourself to a life of comfort with all the resources you’ve saved over the years.

So though we tend to slow down with age, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our golden years by staying young at heart. Here are some tips on staying happy and healthy during your golden years.

Making your golden years enjoyable means that you will need to maintain good health. Proper nutrition energises you to experience the joys of this new chapter of your life, such as spending more time with your family (including your grandchildren), resuming or picking up a hobby, travelling the world, catching up with old friends, and so forth.

In addition to proper nutrition you will also need a little exercise to help keep you healthy. Find something you enjoy doing and be consistent with it. Take a brisk early morning walk, or even go dancing, whatever do you just have fun with it. Make sure you talk with your doctor though, before you engage in any exercise programme.

Keeping in good health also means that you will have to make regular visits to your doctor. As you grow older, you’ll find that your body doesn’t function as well as it used to. At this time in your life your body is prone to illnesses and diseases, like hypertension, diabetes or heart problems. Regular visits to your doctor will help you to diagnose these diseases early, and receive the appropriate treatment. This will allow you to enjoy a longer and healthier life.

So with all this free time on your hands, now is the time to get involved in some fun activities. Join a club or association in your community or simply form one with a group of friends. Form a birthday club and get together to celebrate each other’s milestones. Families and friends may be invited to participate. Have game nights, where you all get together and play bingo or your favourite board games, or old movie nights, where you can get together and watch those old favourites.

Find a hobby if you don’t already have one, and have fun doing it. Whether it is gardening, cooking, playing golf, or knitting, having a hobby helps to keep you relaxed thus reducing stress and depression. Get involved in arts and crafts, make birthday cards for your friends or create a family tree for your grandchildren.

Plan trips and tours to those places you were too busy to go before, or those places you’ve always wanted to see. A trip to the beach can be very relaxing. Get involved in outdoor activities like gardening, cookouts, or just enjoying time in the sun alone or with a friend.

Enjoy a few good books. Join the library and read all those books you ever wanted to read but you were just too busy to. You could even form a book club with some friends. You can exchange books with each other as well as meet to discuss what books you have read.

Get involved in church and church activities. Keep your self inspired through meditation, prayer or music. Hopeful people are usually happier and lead fuller lives than pessimists. Being involved in church will also help you make new friends and form support groups.

Remember you are as young as you feel. Enjoy your “Golden Years.” They can be the best years of your life.