Addressing Aches, Pains, & Stress in Retirement: Liberate Yourself and Stay Active

Sir Isaac Newton’s insights apply to your retirement plans and trajectory. His first law of motion captures the challenge plain and simple: an object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. It highlights the concept of inertia, where a body at rest stays at rest, and a body in motion stays in motion.

You spent your entire life on a schedule and on the go; now, the external structure of waking up and the activity of your work, commute, etc., is becoming a distant memory. You can if you want to sleep in or have a pajama day. The key is to avoid being snared as millions of retirees are. You likely had aches and pains prior to retirement, YET your work responsibilities had you clocking in and showing up in rain, snow, or sleet. That is the motto of a postal carrier, but you get the idea of how that may apply to you.

The great news? Now that you’re retired, you have time to take care of your health and address the causes of the aches that threaten to slow you down now that you crossed the finish line of work obligations. Can you imagine applying the same attitude to your health as you did to your work ethic? You have the time, so that hurdle has been removed. But the reality is that you may have just as much stress or more than when you had to show up to a job. How could this be?

Take a moment and look at the Holmes Rahe Stress Chart. The stress of retirement yields a score of 45, a mere two points from the 47 accompanying dismissal from work. Retirement also comes with a change in cash flow, so you’re faced with unexpected stressors that can rob you of vim, vigor, and life’s mojo.

Dealing with Retirement’s Biggest Challenges

Now that you’ve retired, you are officially more your boss than ever. So, how will you create a culture of success for your well-deserved retirement? Here are some of the recommendations I have made over the last 30 years in clinical practice.

• Address outstanding and often-ignored health concerns that may limit your enjoyment of hobbies, fitness goals, etc.
• Focus on fueling and repairing your body. It has served you well. Much like a home remodel or customizing your favorite ride, it is time to invest time and effort into your future wellness trajectory.
  1. Hydrate well
  2. Eat whole food (and yes, mom was right, more than ever, eat your fresh veggies and fruit)
  3. Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet, including omega-3 fatty acids.
  4. Control inflammation! Inflammation is the process that adds the “itis” to your body parts: tendonitis, arthritis, bursitis, sinusitis, gastritis, etc. The goal is to minimize inflammation as it contributes to “Inflamm-Aging.”
• Make sure you are getting both quality and quantity of sleep. Sleep hygiene is the foundation of RESTORATION of your body—after all, the first 4 letters are REST. If in doubt, as a snorer or not, get a simple home sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea. Out-of-pocket cost is often under $200, and you can order the test yourself or see if your medical provider will order the test.
• Stay active and limber. Find a group, friend, or gym to create a community and, equally important, accountability. Could you put it on your schedule? Many senior retirement programs are built into insurance plans, including Silver Sneakers.

Controlling Stress and Inflammation: My Favorite Approach

In addition to the above four action steps, I often incorporate botanicals and nutrients, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and omega-3 fatty acids, to nourish the body’s wellness pursuits during retirement. CBD oil does double duty in soothing stress and supporting a healthy pain response. Studies have shown CBD can reduce stress during a simulated public speaking test^1,2 and promote a restful night’s sleep.^3,4

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a system in your body involved in perceiving pain.⁵ CBD also boosts levels of a cannabinoid called anandamide, which is produced naturally in the body and is involved in controlling pain.⁶

My clinical practice experience is that combining CBD oil with omega-3 fatty acids powerfully supports the body’s natural inflammatory response. I prefer to use CBD and omega-3 fatty acids formulated with the VESISorb® technology delivery system, which helps your body absorb these two nutrients so they’re more effective.⁷

References:

1. Appiah-Kusi E, Petros N, Wilson R, et al. Effects of short-term cannabidiol treatment on response to social stress in subjects at clinical high risk of developing psychosis. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2020;237(4):1121-1130.
2. Bergamaschi MM, Queiroz RH, Chagas MH, et al. Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011;36(6):1219-1226.
3. Carlini EA, Cunha JM. Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol. J Clin Pharmacol. 1981;21(S1):417s-427s.
4. Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. Perm J. 2019;23:18-041.
5. O’Hearn S, Diaz P, Wan BA, et al. Modulating the endocannabinoid pathway as treatment for peripheral neuropathic pain: a selected review of preclinical studies. Ann Palliat Med. 2017;6(Suppl 2):S209-s214.
6. Manzanares J, Julian M, Carrascosa A. Role of the cannabinoid system in pain control and therapeutic implications for the management of acute and chronic pain episodes. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2006;4(3):239-257.
7. Knaub K, Sartorius T, Dharsono T, Wacker R, Wilhelm M, Schön C. A Novel Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS) Based on VESIsorb(®) Formulation Technology Improving the Oral Bioavailability of Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects. Molecules. 2019;24(16).