Rajeev Verma, Published 30-June-2024
For many, retirement from the job starts with reflection: What are things you’ve always wanted to do? How can you take care of yourself in a way that feels the best?
Being retired means having more free time, and many of us begin to think more deeply about things. It’s easy to feel lost and wonder if what you’ve accomplished so far is all you’ll ever do with your life. At times, I feel desperate or determined to do at least some of the things I’ve always wanted to do.
What do people experience when they retire?
Letting go can be hard. Your identity as a working person in a particular place, with certain people, doing specific things disappears quickly. There are feelings of sadness, some grief, loneliness, and disorientation. These are normal and expected, but they do not need to linger or persist.
Retirement can be a psychological and emotional journey that can involve a range of experiences, both positive and negative:
Positive experiences
Some retirees may feel a sense of fulfillment, or enjoy leisure activities, traveling, or connecting with loved ones.
Negative experiences
Some retirees may struggle to adjust to retirement, experiencing feelings of sadness, loneliness, or disorientation. They may also feel anxious about having more time but less money, or have difficulty filling their extra hours with meaningful activities. Other challenges include losing their identity as a working person, or struggling to switch off from work mode and relax.
Other challenges
Some retirees may also experience boredom, or feel like they’re not getting enough time. Others may find it difficult to adjust their routine or maintain their independence, especially if they’re now spending more time at home with their spouse.
What happens emotionally when you retire?
Instead of feeling free, relaxed, and fulfilled, you feel depressed, aimless, and isolated. You may grieve the loss of your old life, feel stressed about how you’re going to fill your days, or worried about the toll that being at home all day is taking on your relationship with your spouse or partner.
What to do after retirement ?
No matter which stage of retirement you’re in, it’s not uncommon to find yourself restless from time to time. Maybe you’re feeling a little bored in retirement or you’ve started wondering how to fill your time.
What is the first thing to do when you retire?
To get inspired, here’s a list of things to do when you retire:
1. Get financially savvy. Get your finances in order. Organise your money so you can work out what you’ll have to live on. Gradually reducing your spending in the lead up to retirement will make it easier to adjust. Track down any old pensions, claim your state pension and check what other benefits you can claim.
2. Establish a routine. Make a list
Writing down your aims may help you focus on what you really want to achieve – like a ‘to do’ list. Work out what you can afford to do and schedule time to make it happen, so you experience a sense of accomplishment, as you would have done at work. Establish a daily schedule. One of the best things you can do for yourself during retirement is create a solid, healthy routine.
But what does a daily schedule for retirees look like? A good routine doesn’t have to be the same kind of daily schedule you kept while you were working. This time, your agenda can be centered around you, and the things that make you feel and function your best. Having a schedule in retirement boasts a lot of important health benefits, too.
A familiar rhythm to your day, created around your needs and health, can help you manage stress, get better sleep, and help you budget scheduled pockets during your day for exercise, social interaction, healthy eating and other important activities.
3. Care for a pet. Our furry friends have a positive effect on our health and wellbeing. People with pets are generally happier, more trusting, and less lonely than those who don’t have. They also visit the doctor less often for minor problems. One reason for that may be that your pet gives you a sense of belonging and meaning. You feel like you have greater control of your life.
4. Stay social. Make peace and move on.
Don’t spend your retirement dwelling on your working days. Accept that you’ve done all you can in that job and focus on your next challenge. You’ve still got lots to achieve. Get social with healthy relationships.
Social interaction is a huge contributor to mental health. A thriving social life can often lessen the likelihood of retirement depression, mental decline and other health risks. Joining a local club or group, participating in neighborhood coffee gatherings or joining a community garden are all great options to consider.
5. Be proactive about health. People exercising. From keeping fit and healthy to making the mental adjustment, we’ve got all the tips you need to make the most of your new-found free time.
6. Explore the world. Travel more. Now you can finally make those long-held plans a reality, depending on your health and budget limitations. If longer trips aren’t practical, mini breaks may be a good alternative – or even days out to places you’ve never visited before.
Travel near and far. If you’re feeling a little stuck with where you’re at, maybe it’s time to get out and travel. Before getting started, make a quick “bucket list” of places you’d like to go.
Maybe you want to take a weekend to visit the grandkids, explore somewhere warm during the winter or discover a place you’ve never been. The best part is that travel doesn’t always have to be a big excursion. Even a day trip to a nearby museum, art center, botanical garden or nature walk can be a worthwhile experience.
7. Prepare for ups and downs. There may be times when you feel lonely or a bit lost, which is normal. If ill health or changes in your relationships temporarily scupper your plans, accept that this has happened and get your back-up plan in action. Think positively and share any concerns with others.
8. Eat well. Make sure you eat regular meals, especially if your previous pattern, while at work, was to snack. Take advantage of the extra time on your hands and explore healthy cooking options.
9. Develop a daily routine. Use your free time to continue to challenge yourself mentally, whether it’s learning an instrument or a language or getting a qualification. You may find it feels more normal to continue getting up, eating and going to bed at roughly the same time every day. Plan in regular activities such as voluntary work, exercise and hobbies. This will keep things interesting and give you a purpose.
10. Exercise your mind and keep physically active. Prioritize your mental health. As we mentioned, retirement is a huge life adjustment, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
Both new retirees as well as those who have been retired for years can find themselves feeling lost or stuck. We should all aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week, so build up to this if you haven’t made exercise a normal part of your life previously.
Stay active and moving. Regular physical activity encourages better mental and physical health. It boosts energy levels, mental sharpness, balance, strength and flexibility. Exercise is also one of the best tools you have in your arsenal for keeping chronic illness and depression at bay.
For people 60 and older, the CDC recommends up to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, don’t worry – getting fit after age 60 is easier than you think.
Next Step is finding an activity that you really enjoy doing, such as:
(i) Walking
(ii) Biking
(iii) Swimming
(iv) Tennis
(v) Aerobics
(vi) Gym/Weight training
(vii) Light yoga
11. Take up new hobbies or passions. Remember, your interests are key. Do you enjoy playing board games? You can find other seniors that meet in the park several times a week. Do you love cooking? There are tons of online groups you can join that share recipes.
For those interested in learning something new, you can enroll in a community or university education program for seniors, many of which are available both online and in person. Sharpen your skills for better health.
Physical activity isn’t the only way to stay healthy – your mind needs its own kind of exercise, too. Learning and mastering new skills or hobbies can help maintain cognitive health.
Retirement is the perfect time to explore an interest you’ve always wanted to learn, like painting, crochet, woodwork, cooking or even studying a new language. The opportunities are endless. If you’re not sure where to start, look into a local adult education class and see what’s on the docket.
12. Become active community members
Volunteer. Seek social support. For many people, work can form a big part of their social life and it’s common to feel at a bit of a loose end once you retire. Fill the gaps by joining clubs and groups. Find out about the social and physical benefits of walking groups.
13. Join Regular Health Check programme that aims to help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of dementia. Go for a health check.
Prevention is better than cure. Everyone between the ages of 60 and 80, who has not already been diagnosed with one of these conditions or have certain risk factors, will be invited once every five years to have a check to assess their risk of these age-related illnesses and will be given support and advice to help them reduce or manage that risk.
14. Keep in touch with your golden friends (childhood) & from work. Just because you are retiring doesn’t mean you have to lose touch with the group of friends you made in your workplace. Why not make arrangements for regular catch-ups? Or, you might want to use some of your new leisure time to catch up with old friends that you haven’t seen for a while.
If you enjoy party planning, find an excuse to get everyone together and have fun arranging the perfect garden or dinner party, anniversary celebration or other special occasion.
15. Pamper yourself. After decades of hard work, you are due some ‘me time’. Whether your idea of indulgence is a city break, a day trip to a spa or a small pleasure like dining out or going to the cinema, schedule some time for a well-deserved treat.
16. Practise mindfulness. Practising mindfulness has become more popular than ever in the last decade as a strategy to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. Fresh air and exercise is an instant mood booster and instrumental in maintaining your wellbeing.
Meditation strengthens the hippocampus, the area of the brain that is important for memory, and slows the decline of brain areas responsible for sustaining attention. There are no set guidelines for how often you should meditate for optimal result, but a handful of experiments suggest that a mere 10 to 20 minutes of mindfulness a day can be beneficial—if people stick with it.
17. Give back to the community. Ever thought of volunteering? Perhaps you’d enjoy getting involved with your local youth club, animal rescue centre, environmental organisation or elderly support group.
First, keep in mind that “meaningful” is subjective. What’s important to you might be different for other people, and that’s OK. For many, retirement offers the unique opportunity to be more involved in our communities and to volunteer our time to help those in need.
If you’re able, connect with volunteer initiatives online or through your local community center to see what you’d be most interested in. From food banks to national park volunteering, the list is endless. And the best part? Studies show that seniors and retirees who get involved with volunteer work often experience a boost in mental health, social activity and feelings of productivity.
18. Be one with nature. Fresh air and exercise is an instant mood booster and instrumental in maintaining your wellbeing. Why not incorporate a walk in the woods or a nearby park into your daily routine? This is an ideal way of achieving the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
19. Push your boundaries. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, both health-wise and in general, and doing something different can be a refreshing change. Some people have found that simple changes, such as trying a tasty new recipe, finding a different hairdresser or joining an exercise class they haven’t done before gives them a new zest for life.
20. Take up a new project. Finally you have time to get stuck into all those things you’ve been meaning to do but never got round to. Mapping your family tree, building a shed, planting a veg patch….. the list goes on, but now you can actually do what you’ve always wanted to.
Let’s be honest – work is an important part of a person’s life. It gives us a feeling of purpose and fills our days with routine and structure. When you retire, it’s a huge transition. This adjustment can be hard, and many retirees may experience feelings of depression or loss.
21. Avoid too much web time. There’s a lot going on in the world these days. For many of us, that means staying informed and connected online. But it’s important to remember that being too plugged in can become a problem.
Constantly following news and social media can be a huge source of anxiety and stress. And that stress from information overload can physically impact the body, causing fatigue, headaches and more. Try to limit your use – you’ll feel better!
22. Make sleep a priority. A good sleep schedule can make all the difference when it comes to both mental and physical health. However, as we get older, sleep can get a little more complicated, and oftentimes, the shift from working to retirement can factor into that. But there are plenty of things you can do to encourage a healthy sleep schedule.
In fact, you don’t have to deviate too much from the sleep schedule you kept when you were working. If you want to go to bed a little earlier or sleep a little later, begin transitioning your sleep schedule, slowly but surely, to meet the times that work best for you – as long as you find yourself getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night. If you have trouble sleeping, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor for help.
Concluding, upon retirement, individuals may experience a loss of daily social connections and a decreased sense of community, leading to feelings of loneliness or isolation. Share your sincere gratitude for your time in the serving department. Take care of yourself.
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