Recently, I came across a quotation which we could all learn from:
I don’t sing because I am happy; I am happy because I sing. William James
As a singer, I value this statement, and agree wholeheartedly with the message. However, this has much wider implications than encouraging retirees to join a choir. Our feelings are very much determined by the state of our bodies. Of course, this is especially true if we are suffering pain, but the link is always there.
We need to pay particular attention to posture. As you will be aware already, a sad or depressed person tends to move slowly with hunched shoulders, head bent and eyes looking down to the floor. A happy person walks briskly with shoulders back, head erect and eyes looking ahead. Retired people, going nowhere special, without immediate goals, and time to spare, often walk slowly, with heads down.
The value of the quotation is in explaining that the body shapes the mind. We feel the way we behave. To be happy we need to behave happy. So stand up straight, hold your head high with chin in, look ahead, pull your shoulders back and smile. Then walk with a good action – heel down first, straighten the knees, and spring off the toes. Walk slightly faster than you would if there was plenty of time. It is easy to drop into the ‘retirement shuffle’. So, next time you go for a walk, pay attention to your body and experience how a confident posture makes you feel happier.
Renaissance not Retirement 