7 Habits For A Better Retirement

 

I was at the point in my life where retirement was just around the corner, and it scared the shit out of me.  The trip to that corner was getting shorter every day it seemed.  What would my wife and I do, would we have enough money, would we be able to take care of our health needs, etc.?  The list just went on. Like I always do when I start out to do something new, I researched retirement.  Talking to other retirees helped, but I got tons of advice that fits their needs and not a lot that fit what I needed.

Like many people, I started my planning for retirement by doing Google searches and almost everything I found was about money.  Saving, investing, etc. and while that is very important, I wanted more. 

I found this Kiplinger article by: Jacob Schroeder, Manager of Investor Education  June 30, 2021, that covers areas just as important as money.  To read the entire article, just do a search for https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/happy-retirement.

It’s important to have enough money so you can enjoy your retirement, but that doesn’t mean you have to be rich.  Here are seven tips for a happier and fulfilling life after you do retire. 

Habit No. 1: Happy retirees work at staying healthy.

Exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions, increase energy levels, boost your immune system, and improve your mood.

Tips to take away: It’s never too late to get moving and eat right. Research shows even those who become physically active and adopt a healthy diet late in life dramatically lower the risk of cardiovascular illnesses and have a lower death rate than their peers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends about 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. Even a simple routine, such as walking 7,500 steps or more daily, can provide immense physical and mental health benefits. Regular walks are associated with lower blood pressure and reduced risk of dementia, as well as increased longevity and creativity.

My thoughts: There are 168 hours in a week so it should be pretty easy to find those 150 to 300 minutes to do something besides watch TV and eat. I suggest combining things you like to do with exercising.  Like to read? Walk 30 minutes to anywhere you like to go, then sit and read for a while, then walk back home.  Watch TV, fine but do some Yoga exercises while you do it.  Not sure how to do Yoga, look at YouTube for them.  There are even Yoga exercises you can do sitting down. That’s an easy way to knock out an hour or so of exercising. Do that everyday and you have seven hours of exercise for the week and still have 161 hours to goof off.

Habit No. 2: They foster strong social connections.

Hobbies and activities with people we like can boost life satisfaction, especially when our social networks shrink after leaving the workforce.

Social isolation has been linked to higher rates of heart disease and stroke, increased risk of dementia, and greater incidence of depression and anxiety. Believe it or not, a low level of social interaction is just as unhealthy as smoking, obesity, alcohol abuse or physical inactivity.

Tips to take away: You can find many ways to stay connected by participating in social events at your local community center or library. For example, game nights, weekly outings to a movie or museum and book clubs.

My thoughts: Look for things you like to do or would like to try. Maybe get a group of your friends to do the exercises from Habit No. 1.  There are groups of retired military members near me that get together for about an hour a day to drink coffee and shot the bull. You don’t have to be a member of the group, just drop in and talk. It’s a great way to get new information and meet new people with shared interest.  Don’t like coffee, doesn’t matter. Can’t find a group, start one.

Habit No. 3: Happy retirees find a clear sense of purpose.

The notion of retirement as time spent golfing, strolling the beach or reading classic novels is outdated.  In a Gallup poll, nearly 3 in 4 Americans said they plan to work beyond traditional retirement age, with the majority planning to do so because they “want to,” not because they “have to.” Social interactions are an important part of life and work is where you have gotten it all your life. Retirees also gain meaningfulness and other benefits from volunteering. Studies have shown that retirees were three times more likely to say, “helping people in need” brings them happiness in retirement than “spending money on themselves.” Further, those who donated money or volunteered felt a stronger sense of purpose and self-esteem and were happier and healthier.

Tips to take away: Now that you know volunteering is one of the most fulfilling retirement activities, how do you get started? There is likely a wide array of charities and non-profit groups right in your community that can be found with a simple search online.

My thoughts:  One of the things that scares me about retiring is what will I do?  I can only fish, golf or read so much and then what?  This article gave me some great ideas to look into.  If you are retired military and live near a military base like I do, the community center is a great place to start your search.

Habit No. 4: They never stop learning.

Experts believe that ongoing education and learning new things may help keep you mentally sharp simply by getting you in the habit of staying mentally active. Exercising your brain may help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia.

Tips to take away: Exercising your brain isn’t all that different from exercising your body. It requires consistent stimulation. Choose something that is new and that you enjoy. Consider taking a class from a senior center or community college, learning to play an instrument or making it a habit to regularly visit the library and pick up a new book. Or, you could take free college courses from many top universities, such as Yale and Stanford, through an online learning platform like Coursera.  The National Institute on Aging also provides a list of activities that can help improve the health of older adults, ranging from visiting local museums to joining a book or film club.

My thoughts: I’ve been looking at ways to keep mentally active and learn as I go.  I study Korean Language using YouTube videos and listening to podcast. There are numerous free sites that you can take courses on anything you want to learn more about.  You want to learn how to be a better cook, watch YouTube videos and try out their recipes.  Want to publish a book, same thing.  Watch some videos and apply what you learn.  Anything to keep your mind active is a good thing.

Habit No. 5: They train their brains to be optimistic.

A glass-half-full attitude may pay huge dividends, including lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other chronic ailments and a longer life. In an article published in JAMA Network, researchers found that participants who rated highly in optimism were much less likely to suffer from heart attacks or other cardiovascular events and had a lower mortality rate than their pessimistic counterparts.

Tips to take away: Believe it or not, optimism is a trait that anyone can develop. Studies have shown people are able to adopt a more optimistic mindset with very simple, low-cost exercises, starting with consciously reframing every situation in a positive light. Over time, you essentially can rewire your brain to think positively. Since negativity is contagious, it is also important to surround yourself with optimistic people and consider a break from the news. Dr. Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School explains, “Just as some diseases are contagious, we’ve found that many emotions can pulse through social networks.”

My thoughts:  I’m a pretty optimistic person and I avoid people whose actions and beliefs might drag me down. I always look at the positive things in life and suggest you do the same.  If you are one of those who feel the world is out to get you, just remember, most people have their own problems and really don’t have time to worry about you.

Habit No. 6: Happy retirees practice mindful gratitude.

Studies by psychologists Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough show that people who counted their blessings had a more positive outlook on life, exercised more, reported fewer symptoms of illness and were more likely to help others.  

Tips to take away: As with optimism, gratitude also can be mastered with practice. One of the most effective ways to cultivate gratitude is by writing in a journal. Take a few minutes each day to write down a few things that you are grateful for; they can be as big as a professional accomplishment or as small as your morning cup of coffee.

My thoughts:  Gratitude is important part of live no matter if you are planning your retirement or not.  I have a journal and I do write down what I am grateful for, sometimes.  I need to do it more often because I have a lot to be grateful for.

Habit No. 7: They have a furry or feathered friend.

It turns out that Fido can provide more benefits to you than grabbing the newspaper. Older dog owners who walked their dogs at least once a day got 20% more physical activity than people without dogs and spent 30 fewer minutes a day being sedentary, on average, according to a study published in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Research has also indicated that dogs help soothe those suffering from cognitive decline, and the physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog can boost the longevity of the owner.

If a dog is out of the question, cats and birds are lower-maintenance possibilities.

Tips to take away: The companionship of a furry friend can be as beneficial as that of another human being. Finding your next best friend is as easy as visiting your local animal shelter.  And, no, breed does not matter. Small, large, slobbery, or smelly, they’re all good dogs.

My thoughts:  We have a dog and I’m not sure who owns who, but he is a joy to us.  I would highly recommend getting a pet to anyone who can have one. One warning, many pets are a long-term commitment so have a plan in case your pet outlives your ability to care for it.   

Conclusion

We are all nervous before we retire. These are just a few tips that can get you pass that and on to enjoying your retirement and I hope they help you do just that.