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They say you can’t teach an old dog n
ew tricks, but a new study of recently retired Australians proves there’s always time to change your life.
Conducted by the University of Sydney, the study tracked more than 25,000 older Australians, recording their general health habits, including physical activity, alcohol use, and sleep patterns. These statistics were then compared to post-retirement behavior, and the results are surprising. Rather than wither on the vine, retirees seemed to find a new lease on life. In fact, many report becoming more active once they transitioned out of the workforce.
“Our research revealed that retirement was associated with positive lifestyle choices,” said lead researcher Dr. Melody Ding, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health, in a statement about the research.
“Compared to people who were still working, retirees had increased physical activity levels, reduced sitting time, were less likely to smoke, and had healthier sleep patterns.”
Not only did study participants improve their overall health, but many of the differences were significant, even after adjusting for factors like age, sex, marital status, education, and residency. According to the study, nonworking senior citizens increased physical activity by 93 minutes per week, decreased sedentary time by over an hour per day, and increased sleep by 11 minutes per night. Additionally, over half of all female smokers quit smoking.
For participants in the study, the biggest differences appeared among those who’d worked 40-hour weeks. Ding believes ditching commuting and finally abandoning inactive hours behind a desk provide seniors with the chance change their day-to-day lives, making room for more exercise, balanced meals, and better sleep.
“The lifestyle changes were most pronounced in people who retire after working full-time,” says Ding. “When people are working and community, it eats much time out of their day. When they retire, they have time to be physically active and sleep more.”
These findings should relieve some of the apprehension older adults feel as they head towards their golden years. Dr. Ding admits she began the study after witnessing her own mother’s experiences with mandatory retirement at age 55.
“When she turned 55 she was really anxious about stopping working,” Ding explains. “She felt like she was not as valuable.”
“She now spends her days enjoying so many hobbies; she can’t remember how she had time to work.”
Des, an 89-year-old retired bank manager agrees.
“I have more time in my retirement, and I am happily busy,” he says about the study. “I keep fit by dancing four times a week and walking. I keep my mind active by involvement in the University of the Third Age, teaching computer skills and dancing to the oldies, most of them are younger than me.”
For Ding, the shift into retirement provides physicians with an opportunity to encourage their patients to adopt better health habits and a more positive attitude.
“Retirement is a good time for doctors to talk to their patients about making positive lifestyle changes that could add years to their life,” she says. “We hope this information could translate to better health in older Australians, preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”
“The findings suggest that both health professionals and policy makers should consider special programs for retirees to capitalize on the health transitions through retirement,” she adds.
Des perhaps sums up the post-work evolution best, saying, “My answering message is ‘I am out enjoying my retirement.’”
