Researchers in America have concluded that complete Retirement is actually bad for you. A study of 12,189 retirees found that those who undertook part-time or temporary work after retirement were actually physically and mentally healthier than those who gave up work completely.

The study, carried out by the University of Maryland, examined 12,189 people who were aged 51 – 61 at the outset of the trial. Those individuals were interviewed every two years over a six-year period beginning in 1992 about their health, their finances, employment history and work or retirement life.

It concluded that those who gave up work altogether were less able to function on a day-to-day basis than those who continued to work in some capacity. They also suffered more major diseases. Conversely, even allowing for the individual’s mental and physical health before retirement, those who continue to work in some capacity have fewer major diseases and are better able to function on a daily basis.

Importantly however, the most beneficial post-retirement work would seem to be work similar to that which the individual undertook before retirement. Perhaps as a result of the stress involved in adapting to new work environments or different job conditions, the mental health of those interviewed was not improved by continuing to work after official retirement.

Ironically it seems, the fact that so many in their Third Age will now be forced to work later in life because of the economic recession might actually be a good thing after all. Providing that is that we continue to do similar jobs to that which we did before.

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The subject reminds me of the old expression, figures never lie but liars can always figure. Just as those figures report, I know many people who would be called couch potatoes. I'm confident we all do. They live, breath, eat, drink and their only topics of conversation are the weather and television. These people are front line candidates for all sorts of health issue and they are rarely disappointed.

I also know many people, who, like myself, simply don't have enough hours in the day. More interests than is probably healthy (at least for my bank balance) and never at a loss for something to do. We take plenty of exercise, go out at every opportunity, have very busy hands, minds and bodies, and love everything life throws at us. I got home from my break away four hours ago, already I have weeded the vegetable patch, cleaned the car, fitted a roof rack to the vehicle, and sorted out a load of glasses china to go for auction ready for when we move.

I am continually frustrated to read the moans and groans about the rubbish to be found on television, when the off button is so easy to use. There are hundreds of thousands of DVD's for hire, if watching the box is someone's only pleasure, they could choose their entire holiday viewing. I might add I have been away for four days and I have not watched the box once. Mind you our weather was highly conducive to sitting outside for meals, with an ample supply of chilled wine to hand. Quite frankly, watching the Queen's message didn't figure on the agenda. Did she do one this year?

I must have achieved some sort of status here!   I didn't have to do a complicated sum before hitting the 'Save Post' button.  Perhaps I'm becoming an Oracle?