For many of us retirement means a chance to relax after years of working hard five days (or more) a week. Yet it is easy to let that relaxation get the better of you, leading to low fitness levels, too much time spent indoors and poor health. Thankfully there are several simple ways to make sure this doesn't happen ? and none of them require a gym membership or running shoes!

1 ? Make small changes daily to ensure you stay active.

There may be no need to go out at all some days, but if you do ? even if only for a short walk ? your overall health will benefit. Why not leave the car at home when you need to pop into town? That brisk walk first thing in the morning to grab a daily paper will set you up for the day, and the fresh air will do wonders for waking you up!

2 ? Stay in contact with friends.

Staying active is much easier and much more enjoyable if you have someone to do it with. There's nothing better than a country walk with friends? especially if it ends up at the local pub for lunch. Golf, swimming, bowls and many other activities are also ideal for two or more to enjoy together.

3 ? Staying active doesn't just mean in a physical sense ? it helps to stimulate the brain too.

Going from a full time job to retirement is a huge shift in anyone's life. Taking it easy is one thing ? stopping altogether is quite another!

Find out about volunteering at your local charity shop, or helping in the community in some other way. Not only will you stay active, you'll make new friends - and make a real difference as well.