If you’re considering retirement soon, you could be having many mixed feelings about stepping away from work. Many people feel relief and excitement at entering a new chapter of their lives, whilst others feel anxiety about taking the leap. However, retirement is your reward for a lifetime of working hard. Many older people find that their retirement experience is one of the best things they ever do, and they come to understand themselves on a greater level. There are many ways you can make the most out of your retirement so you don’t become bored and have a great time. Here are all the best ways to make the most out of your retirement!
Transition Gently
When you’ve been in a routine of going to work for decades, it can be difficult to stop doing so suddenly. If you’re thinking of retirement, it might be a good idea to slowly and gradually cut down on the time you spend at work. For example, start by taking an extra day off a week, and then two, until you retire. This will get you used to the idea of having more free time, and you will be able to find more activities that will fill your time.
Develop A Routine
One of the best things you can do to plan for a great retirement is to plan a routine. If you go from having a highly regimented work life to days with no schedule, you can start to experience feelings of anxiety or depression. Human beings need a routine to feel good about themselves, so make sure you have a routine in place before you retire. Things such as making yourself breakfast and showering at a certain time, as well as setting out days for activities, are great ways to keep your brain stimulated during retirement.
Be In Nature
Fresh air and exercise are vital for having good mental health and enjoying life. Now that you’re not at work all the time, it can be easy to stay cooped up at home. However, getting outside and being in nature is fantastic for your mental health and well-being. Making sure a walk is in your daily routine, and scheduling time to be with local wildlife are all great ways to boost your health. You need to make sure you’re doing gentle exercise, to maintain a healthy lifestyle well into retirement, and walks through nature are perfect to achieve this.
Improve Your Social Support
Isolation is one of the key factors that make people feel unsatisfied with their retirement. Making the transition from talking to people every day at work to having little social interaction can cause mental health issues or feelings of dissatisfaction with their retirement. However, there are many ways you can improve your social support. Looking for other groups of retirees and groups for hobbies you enjoy is great for expanding your social network and increasing social support. Keeping up with your family more is also a fantastic remedy for feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Travel More
One of the major positives to not being in a 9-5 anymore is the amount of freedom you have left to be able to see the world. When you’re working and raising children, you don’t have the freedom to be able to book a flight anywhere in the world. Retirement brings freedom to be able to explore and see the world – and if you love to travel, you should definitely take advantage of that! If you’ve ever dreamed of relaxing on Maldives beaches, exploring South East Asia, or going on a string of European city breaks, now is your chance. You don’t need to go on a long-haul trip to travel more – mini breaks are just as enjoyable! If you’re worried about traveling by yourself, there are many cruises for retirees available for you to enjoy!
Have Side Projects
Finally, you’ve got time to achieve things that you’ve been putting off! Many retirees take on a side project to keep themselves busy once they’ve stopped working. Popular retirement projects include mapping a family tree, gardening and growing vegetables from scratch, learning an instrument, and improving your cooking skills. Having side projects will help you keep your mind busy and fight boredom during your retirement.
Keep Your Mind and Body Active
Taking care that your mind and body health doesn’t deteriorate during retirement is imperative for making the most of it. Exercising your mind and body is essential when it comes to keeping up your overall health. Exercising your mind could involve learning something new, such as a language or a new skill. You could also do mind exercises and brain training to keep your mind sharp and give your brain the stimulation it needs. You should also be making sure to exercise every day, no matter the weather. When going out for walks in the winter, make sure you wear a full tracksuit and thermal wear, so you can move your body comfortably no matter what!
If you’re planning on retiring after a lifetime of work, you deserve to enjoy it as much as possible. Make sure to take a few of these tips, so you can make the most of your well-earned retirement!
Written by: Zoe-Louise Thomlinson
About the Author: Zoe-Louise is a freelance writer who loves to write about healthy living for people of all ages. When she’s not writing, you can find all of her spending money in a bookshop. Connect with her on Twitter here: @ ZoeThomlinson.