At age 73, after a career already spanning 51 years, I’m still working. Please, no standing ovation necessary. Nor, for that matter, pangs of pity, either. I plug away at my trade because I like to.
I left my last job at age 67, after 28 years in senior management at high-pressure, bill-by-the-hour public relations firms and set up shop as an independent consultant. Today I’m part-time, logging about 25 to 30 hours a week, about half of my previous workload. I go at it almost every day, putting in an average of about four hours at my desk, mostly in the morning.
Only recently have I learned what I’ve long suspected, namely that practicing my profession as a senior is good for my health physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.
Skipping retirement has advantages
In general, research shows, working past standard retirement age may offer multiple health advantages. The brain is kept active, maintaining cognitive function and diminishing the likelihood of dementia. You stay connected socially, boosting emotional well-being and staving off loneliness. You might even prevent chronic illness and live longer.
