You have worked hard to get to your retirement years. Make the most out of it by using this extra time to explore the beauty and grandeur of the US national park system. Regardless of which parks you decide to visit, you are going to want a game plan so that you can fully enjoy these destinations. Here are four tips for traveling to various US national parks during your retirement.

Research Busiest Times of Year

While many tourists choose to visit the national parks during the summer for the warm weather and prime wildlife viewing opportunities, your retirement affords you the opportunity to visit any time of the year. Traveling during the off-season will deliver fewer crowds and more room to roam. The best time to visit these parks is generally during the shoulder seasons such as early fall or late spring when kids are back in school and the weather is still nice.

Don’t Rush

A trip through a national park is not something that you want to rush. Part of the magic of these natural gems is their tranquility. You will enjoy your experience more if you take the time to smell the roses, so to speak. Although each park has definitive major attractions that you will not want to miss, you also need to take the time to get off of the beaten path and truly connect with Mother Nature. Not only are the parks themselves an amazing attraction, but the areas around them also boast great things to do. Take some time to explore the local cities and really get a feel for the places you are in.

Rent a Reliable Ride

Because many national parks are located in remote areas, you want to be sure that you have a dependable vehicle or RV for all of your travels. It is also up to you to ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained and ready to handle the rigors of the road. In addition to performing the recommended maintenance checks, you should regularly check tire pressure since temperature may affect their condition.

Buy an Annual Pass

If you plan on visiting more than one park, it will probably make good financial sense to purchase an annual pass. An annual pass will get you into nearly every national park for an entire year. There are also discounted rates for seniors, making this an even bigger bargain. With this type of pass, you will not feel rushed to visit a lot of parks at one time.

Leverage the extra time that you have now to fully immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of this country. The national parks are a great place to start this new season in your life.

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If you are like most people on the brink of your retirement years, you may be wondering what you are going to do with your time when you finally reach this pinnacle of life. Before you head down this road, it is a good idea to have a map of how you want to spend these years. You've worked hard to reach retirement, and you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest. Here are three ways that you can treat yourself to life's greatest pleasures once you have retired.

Start a New Hobby

If you have ever dreamed about picking up a particular hobby, now is the time to get started. Get creative in how you want to spend your time. You will likely even make new like-minded friends as a result of pursuing these hobbies. Good ideas to consider include traveling, joining a club or local association, exercising, or spending time in the great outdoors. Many seniors also find a great amount of fulfillment through volunteer work. Volunteering is a meaningful way to give back to your community while personally enriching your own life.

Get Your Dream Car

Retirement is a great time to buy and enjoy your dream car. As long as you are in the financial position to do so, buying the vehicle that you have always dreamed about is a great way to commemorate your retirement years. Before you begin the test-drive process, be sure to consider the practical considerations as well as how you want to spoil yourself. For example, a luxury crossover can comfortably seat seven passengers, which is perfect for when your grandchildren come to visit.

Practice Self-Care

You have likely spent the majority of your life taking care of others. Now is your chance to practice some self-care and nourish your own health and well-being. There are numerous ways that you can do this. Many retirees use this extra time to develop an exercise routine to boost their physical health. Now is also a good time to schedule all of those medical appointments that you have been putting off. Be sure to invest in your emotional and mental health by reading more books, nurturing your relationships, or just fully relaxing without guilt.

Many people dread getting older. The golden years of your life should be celebrated. You can make the most out of this special season in life by doing the things that make you the happiest and enrich your life the most.

You might also be interested in this article: How to Plan Where You Will Live in Retirement

Exercising isn’t only for the youth. Exercise is something that we should do during all stages of our life. But if you are late to the party, then you have even more to look forward to because the reward is much more noticeable and needed.

Golfing

Golfing reduces stress by getting you outdoors in nature's sunshine and open horizons. It's a great mental exercise that keeps you distracted while you strategize and interact with your surroundings. Polishing your golf moves helps with flexibility, posture, strength, and balance.

According to Celebrity Greens, using an open stance and letting your weight drop on the side closest to the hole helps to smoothly roll the ball, which lets you have better control of your distance.

Bicycle Riding

This sport keeps you more intimately connected to the world outdoors than a car commute ever could. The first step is picking a route that fits your preferences. You may want to go out of your way and find a path that has few traffic interruptions when you are just getting started. A busier path that is closest to interesting sights and local shops may be more preferable for seasoned riders. You can go solo on a traditional bike, or you can switch things up by using less-traditional models. According to SilverSneakers, stationary exercise bikes are great for seniors because they have three wheels and let you recline in a laid-back position as you pedal. Tandem bikes have multiple seats for riding with companions.

Water Aerobics

Water aerobics is wonderful when there are added complications from weight or weakened muscles. It's great for getting the heart pumping when it's hot outside and you need a cooler alternative to keep you in the mood. Your body can exercise more effectively without the stress of gravity or heat, so you can last much longer and feel refreshed when you're finished working out. You can do it at home in an in-ground or above-ground pool or at a gym.

Golfing and biking can benefit you by giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. However, community centers have the added benefit of providing instructor-guided workouts, such as low-impact water yoga to help with stretching targeted muscles that need it the most. These are just a few of the exercises that are great for maintaining your health while being active and staying in shape.

Thinking about retiring, but not sure if you’re prepared? Check out my book, Stress-Free Retirement.

New York City is the most populated city in America for a reason. There's so much to do here. With that being said, a blind move into a city this large is not the way to go at it, especially for a retiree. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind if you plan on retiring here.

Cost of Living

As a retiree, you need to make sure you'll get enough money a month from social security and other sources of income. New York is one of the most expensive cities to live in the US. Statistics show that the cost of living index of NYC is more than twice the national average.

Finding an affordable place to live is likely the biggest challenge. The median price range for a house is $675,000, and the average rental is around $3,500 a month. Not to mention other necessities, such as groceries, cost more than they do in other areas. Subway passes and taxi fares can add up quickly if you're using them frequently enough.

New York Is Always Awake

It's known as the city that never sleeps for a reason. Many bars, shops and restaurants operate at all or almost all hours of the day. As a result, NYC is loud at all times of the day and night. While this is great when you're looking for a quick bite to eat, the noise could interfere with your sleep if you choose to move to a loud area. Make sure to do your research on various NYC neighborhoods before choosing.

Types of Transportation

NYC has plenty of methods of transportation. Sure, you could just drive a car, but with NYC being so crowded, it's not recommended. Taking a taxi or riding the bus are very popular choices. If you're going out further, consider taking the subway. If you're looking for a more active way to get around, NYC provides that too. NYC is very bike-friendly, so biking or riding a scooter are great options. If you don't have a bike or scooter, there are plenty of places within the city where you can rent one. Or, you could just walk. You should keep in mind the dangers of sidewalk sheds when walking past Manhattan construction sites. As long as you are aware of your surroundings, you should be ok.

Social Benefits

Alongside social security, New York City has plenty of benefits and services specifically for retirees. Some requirements are universal, while other benefit programs depend on a variety of other factors. These are definitely worth looking into, and they can provide much-needed help and assistance.

In spite of its pitfalls, NYC is still a land of opportunity for everyone, including retirees. By carefully planning out your retirement, you can spend your golden years in style.

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Aging is a natural part of life. Medical advancements have come a long way in prolonging life, providing a better quality of life and fighting the most common age-related diseases and disorders but, ultimately, we all age. The best way to move gracefully through older age is to understand how aging affects your mind, body and overall health. This overview of the effects of aging can help shape your strategy for aging well.

Your Brain

The human brain is the most complicated biological structure on Earth. Scientists are just beginning to scratch the surface of how the brain works, and more importantly for this article, how the brain changes as we age. Cognitive decline is an important part of aging. Simple, non-critical examples could be forgetting where you put your reading glasses or occasionally mixing up names. More serious examples include dementia brought on by Alzheimer's disease and other serious brain issues. For seniors, regular visits to the doctor can help keep tabs on the state of your brain and keep it functionally optimally as you move through the later stages of life. According to the Gomez Trial Attorneys, brain injuries can be caused by accidents, while an infection or stroke occurs through non-violent events and can lead to lasting damage to brain tissue.

Your Mobility

Seniors risk losing their cherished ability to move around. According to Comfort Keepers, most people prefer to stay in their homes as they get older for a variety of reasons. The families, friends and neighbors that you live around your whole life are in close proximity, and you feel comfortable in your home. Maintaining your mobility is crucial for remaining in your home and avoiding the need to move to a retirement community. Regular exercise and generally staying active are important for keeping your mobility. In cases where you may not be able to get around as easily as you would like, options like automatic lifts to go upstairs and walking devices can help enormously.

Falls and Accidents

As you get older, it’s likely that you will fall more easily. This can be caused by various factors, including osteoporosis and decreasing vision. Falls are a serious concern and can occur in the shower, in the garden or going up or down stairs. Seniors who experience serious falls are at risk of breaking their bones and even losing their ability to live independently. Understanding this can help you to make sure that you take the proper precautions so that you don’t fall.

Getting older can be difficult for some people, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be prepared for it. A proper home and medical planning regimen can allow older people to foresee the potential challenges of aging and overcome them. You do have the ability to age well and with dignity.

As you age, it’s also important to have a retirement plan in place. Learn more about how you can have a stress-free retirement in this book!