12 Easy Self-Care Ideas for a Healthy Early Retirement

Retirement is a time to enjoy life, but maintaining your well-being is key to truly making the most of it. In this video, we’re sharing 12 simple yet powerful self-care ideas we use to help us lead a fulfilled and balanced life in early retirement.

From physical health tips to mental wellness practices, these strategies are designed to keep you feeling your best as you embrace this exciting new chapter. Whether you’re looking for ways to stay active, boost your mood, or find more joy in everyday moments, these self-care ideas will help you create a retirement that’s not just about relaxation, but about thriving. Tune in and discover how to get the very best from your early retirement years!

We are Richard and Jackie and we live in the UK. We retired from teaching at the age of 51 in the summer of 2022. Our plans for early requirement include relocating to the Yorkshire Dales, developing our forever home and travelling the UK, Europe and eventually the world in our VW campervan Nelson.

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Many thanks,

Richard & Jackie

Timeline:
00:00 We are Early Retirement Wanderlust
00:38 12 simple 12 care ideas for early retirement.
01:04 1. Move more for self care in early retirement.
01:56 2. Quality sleep for self care in early retirement.
03:18 3. Eat well for self care in early retirement.
03:47 4. Drink less...drink more for self care in early retirement.
04:26 5. Goal setting for self care in early retirement.
05:40 6. Daily journal for self care in early retirement.
06:20 7. Daily gratitude for self care in early retirement.
07:03 8. Learn something new for self care in early retirement.
08:04 9. Create something for self care in early retirement.
08:53 10. Have a morning routine for self care in early retirement.
09:58 11. Stay connected for self care in early retirement.
11:08 12. Avoid the news for self care in early retirement.
11:46 Our final thoughts on self care in early retirement.

[janehutchinson]

Absolutely love your videos and lifestyle. I feel really relaxed when watching them and am grateful for all the places you take us to. I’m 66 and suffer with osteoarthritis and although I walk my dog 3 times a day, garden and grow my own veggies I was always in pain. Well no more, I now do weight training 3 times a week for 45 minutes and have never felt better, met some lovely people and the trainer is amazing.

[stevenbulmer]

65, just lost about 20lbs ( I’ve dropped at least one dress size😂) walk a fair amount ( 2 Border Terriers see to that😅) and started using the dumbbells and trying to do a 20 minute hit with them.
I’m not going crazy with it all but it does help and I definitely feel better for it.

[suewheeler]

Oh my days, the news! We have definitely experienced the same. There is never anything positive and we too have limited it. My husband had a really tough time after Covid and switching off the news has been a game changer! Now I just look at headlines then leave it alone. I can't deal with the doom mongering

[carolcraig]

I just love you guys! Practical, realistic tips for living more mindfully & healthfully. Journaling in general has always been a great therapeutic outlet for me, as is gratitude journaling specifically. Thank you for straightforward, practical content to help us ensure the best life possible!

[allisonbennett]

Look forward to your weekly 'lifestyle' tips and reflections. You def practice what you preach and are reaping the benefits, looking fantastic both of you ! Inspiring, thank you 👌x

[andyglawe]

Wholeheartedly agree with what you say. Particularly the news. I've been following your channel since the beginning and it has been wonderful to see your channel grow.

[hattyflame]

You've cultivated a lovely rich, wholesome life!! Well done 🌻💛

[tripswithgriff]

Good stuff in here! important and especially as we age. Cannot be over stated how important physical, mental, social and emotional health becomes as you age. All are proven to have a huge impact on dementia and healthy ageing and having a good 'healthspan' - who wants to be be alive at 80+ but only able to function with the help of carers!?
I read a fun book a while back 'Younger Next Year' and 1 phrase really stuck with me - treat keeping fit as your new job! Create the habit of daily strength and aerobic exercise and treat it the same way as you did going to work all those years. Got to do strength work and focus on moving weight around, as well as just walking, running etc. After years of serious cycling and running I've recently re-started the gym and got into a 3x per week gym habit using a pro coach and already feel big benefits. Seeing my dad now unable to even stand up and with almost zero mobility aged only 81, due in major part to years of self neglect, is a great motivator to get that work done and create healthy habits! 3-4x a week quality gym work, 3-4 days of good aerobic work and enjoy the rest of our lives!!!!

[dominic]

Brilliant stuff as ever both. I’m away to do my 50-50-50. Inspired 😊

[stevelavelle]

What another great video, well done. It’s reminding me of routines I used to follow such as journaling that I need to get back to as well as the good things I still do since retirement

[scottydog]

Absolutely loving this channel, and your positive approach to life. I found this channel as I retire in just over 3 years (I’ll be 54). I’ll be using a lot of your tips. Keep up the great videos.

[AngelaPerkins-iw]

A great video, we are really struggling with self care and I will be sharing this video with my husband. Thank you

[nevertoolate]

All good tips I’m also trying to follow. Need to get better at the goal setting and doing something creative.
Would love to see another day in the life when you are not travelling or Jackie’s morning routine, as I also prefer a slow start.

[lenafietst]

Live long learners... another inspiring episode. Thank you!!

[jonathanmchugh]

I love the closeness you two seem to have and some great pointers there. Keep up the good work and have a great beach holiday. Best wishes. Jonathan

[jillchapman]

All great tips! But my favorite part of the vlog is the Puffin oven mitts! 😃

[leanneblake]

I'm about to retire and your 12 tips were very helpful. I struggle with getting quality sleep and my goal will be to work on improving it. Love your videos. Thanks for sharing your lives with us.😊

[janl]

Thank you Richard & Jackie for another great video! 🙂👍 All very good tips!

[paulinejennings]

Great advice as always, presented in a way that is very do-able! Thank you!

[davidcrabb]

Great tips which perhaps apply to us mere mortals who haven’t retired yet