When we retire, there are many life changes that happen. Of course, not having to go to work any longer is the biggest, but you may also consider travelling more and seeing the world, or moving to somewhere that is more suited to retirement living, like these Gloucestershire park homes www.parkhomelife.com/our-parks/orchard-park-homes-gloucester-gloucestershire
Because retirement gives you so much more free time, something that can be great for many people who have retired is owning a dog. Dogs require a lot of care and attention, something that you might not have been able to commit to in the past if you were living a busy lifestyle and working long days. But when you are retired, the time that you have at home can be beneficial to both you and your four-legged companion.
Physical Health Benefits
Dogs like to get out and about and this is something that also gives you amazing physical health benefits. Having that motivation to go out for a walk every day is something that a dog will bring to your life. You will be able to spend time walking around your community, as well as exploring the beautiful areas of the countryside and coastline (check for dog friendly beaches) around the UK with your four-legged friend.
Keeping active during retirement is something that is incredibly important – when it comes to mobility, as we age, we need to ensure that we ‘move it or lose it’ and keeping active and walking a lot is the best way to do this.
As well as the mobility benefits, walking also will be good for your heart and lungs, as well as for your blood pressure.
Mental Health Benefits
There are many mental health benefits that also come along with dog ownership. These loyal companions can help to relieve symptoms of mental illness like anxiety and depression, giving a dopamine boost. Time spent caring for a dog can not only help us to feel calm, but can also help to build self-esteem, something that many people can find take a hit when they retire, and they no longer have a job to do. By being responsible for the care of an animal, it can give you that feeling of usefulness back. Because dogs are so loyal, they also provide companionship, so you are less likely to feel lonely.