Most people can’t wait until their retirement. They dream of days filled with sleeping in and doing everything that they have always wanted to be able to do. A life of luxury after working hard for so many years seems like a dream.

Unfortunately, for many people, they struggle during their retirement. Their health starts to go downhill and they worry about losing their independence and enjoying life.

It doesn’t have to be that way. You can live well and independently during your retirement. Here are three critical things we think really help you in later life.

• Make sure that you are well-prepared financially. Financial burdens make retirement hard and depressing. For this reason, you should be saving as much money as possible before you quit working so that you can enjoy this time.
• Make your health a priority. While your health is always important, it is especially so as you age. For this reason, you need to make sure that you are eating and drinking as healthy as possible. It is also important to find time to exercise and stay flexible, even if you just take walks with your friends or swim a little bit at the local pool! Every little thing that you do for your health will ensure that you can live independently longer.
• Stay close with your family. Your family is so important and they should remain this way even as you age. Continue to spend time with them and do everything that you can to make sure that you keep them in your life. Invite them over when you can. If they invite you over or ask you to join them, you should (even if you don’t feel like it). You will be glad that you did!

While you may want to live independently in your old home for the rest of your life, it might not be the best thing for you. You might want to look into a smaller and more manageable home. If not, a retirement community might just be what you need. You will have plenty of friends and activities to keep you active.