Young at heart in retirement.

• Position: Your Life

Mohr Keet of South Africa bungee jumped when he was 96, landing himself in the Guinness Book of World Records. Yuichiro Miura of Japan climbed Mt. Everest when he was 70. Not everyone in the golden years of life will attempt and accomplish such extraordinary feats, but most people can take steps to keep themselves young--at least in spirit--when they reach retirement.

However, for many, retirement planning remains fixated on finances, so, when the big day arrives, they are not quite ready to segue into life's new chapter, suggests Ann Vanderslice, president and CEO of Retirement Planning Strategies, Lakewood, Colo.

"After you've planned for the money, there is still anxiety about retirement. You don't know what it's like to not work, and so there is that emotional part of retirement you need to manage. Sometimes people aren't ready in any way, shape, or form."

She says a few ways to hang onto a little youthful exuberance while aging gracefully in retirement include:

* Be a lifelong learner. Making the effort to learn about new things keeps our brains young. Read something you would not normally read. Sit in on a lecture that a college opens to the public. "Some of my clients mention they took classes in philosophy or in a foreign language. It's been proven that those who are lifelong learners have a greater sense of optimism and a lower chance of dementia."

* See the world--or at least some of it. There no doubt are plenty of places you have not ventured out to, some close by and others far away...