Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers. Sara Geber

“in any sustainable ecosystem, there is absolute dynamic interaction at every level. Thus, mind, body, and spirit are all reflections of our internal ecosystem, which is … a single

      inseparable entity.”13

      What does that mean? It means you will have the greatest level of success in attaining optimum health if you are in touch with how your thoughts and belief system coincide with your physical health. There are many ways of approaching this. Yoga is a good example of a well-integrated exercise system. As any practitioner of yoga knows, in addition to stretching and toning muscles, yoga involves training the breath and the mind—major components of yoga as a discipline. Taught and practiced in the traditional manner, yoga is as much a meditation practice as a physical activity. Many people find a yoga session clears their mind, leaving them calmer and less stressed.

      Many other physical disciplines also incorporate a spiritual and emotional component. In fact, just about any physical routine can be crafted to address the entire ecosystem; yoga and some others (e.g., tai chi) simply have it built in.

      For those without children or other close family around a fitness routine or practice can have the added benefit of helping build a support network. The seeds of many strong friendships have been sown in a Jazzercise class, a walking group, a fitness club, on the tennis court, or on the golf links.

       Chapter 7. Self-awareness, Meaning, and Purpose

      “Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”

      —Betty Friedan

      Who are you? If you are like most people, your answer to that question—at least since you landed your first job—has been “I’m a business owner” or “I sell insurance” or “I teach fourth grade.” In other words, you have described yourself by what you DO. Unlike your older parent counterparts, you never thought of yourself as “Brian’s mom,” or “Kimberly’s dad,” so you have the advantage of not going through the trauma of the empty nest, but you will still need to re-orient the way you think about yourself after you leave your midlife career and embark on other adventures.

      Why am I here?

      What is my life about?

      What do I want to do with my time, money, and talents?

      How can I make a difference in my community and in the world?

      Opportunities abound today to explore self-awareness, to define the “new you,” and to figure out what makes you happy and adds meaning to your life. Self-development workshops are available through private organizations as well as community colleges and public programs. Transition and life coaches have hung out their shingles in every corner of America, from the smallest towns to the largest urban areas.