I loved my job working for a large corporation. My mother had worked for the same one for 35 years and retired at 55 with a nice pension and full health coverage. I wouldn’t be that fortunate. Eight months shy of the age and combined years of service I needed to retire, my building was closed, and I was out of a job.
We spend much of our lives dreaming about our retirement. It’s exciting knowing that we'll be able to do what we want when we want. Having that kind of freedom sounds much better than waking to an alarm, rushing to a job, or working overtime to meet deadlines.
Yet, the plans the experts tell us to make for retirement all seem to center around saving money or investing money. No one has anything to say about our mindset as we prepare to leave a job that has become intrinsic to our identity. Nor do we get much useful information about occupying ourselves during retirement or how to bridge the gap between work and retirement if things don’t go as planned.
So, is retirement all it’s cracked up to be?
Continue reading to find out about retirement: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Retirement numbers.
According to studies from the National Center for Health Statistics, the average 65-year-old can expect to live until they’re almost 84. That’s 6 and a half years longer than it was back in 1940!
This is one reason why more people are going back to work during their retirement. Seven out of 10 people view working while they’re retired as a good thing. Based on a study carried out by Bankrate. 38% percent of those who participated in the study say they chose to go back to work during their retirement.
So, if retirees are expected to live longer, why are they unhappy? That takes us to the 35% who say they must work because they need the money. The final 27% are those who enjoy the work, while at the same time, relying on that extra bit of income.
Ready for another sobering statistic? Over 47% of people already retired are worried they may outlive their retirement savings.
Retirement mindset: truths and consequences.
Many imagine retirement to be traveling around the world footloose and fancy-free or going on long cruises. Others visualize themselves learning new hobbies or picking up old ones. Some people just want to enjoy their children and grandchildren while they’re still healthy enough to be able to.
That’s great, but have you thought about what you will do when the newness of retirement ends in a few months or a year? Take that thought a step further, what will you do to fill up that 8–10-hour Monday to Friday routine?
The truth is retirement becomes a period of lack of purpose and loneliness. Especially for those with no family or few friends. For many people, it slowly feels like you’ve disconnected from life as you once knew it.
This tends to lead to anxiety and stress. Other symptoms many retirees suffer from are obesity and high blood pressure. This is a direct result of leading a sedentary lifestyle. Watching too much TV and not eating the right types of food results in chronic diseases, and it only snowballs from there.
Also, those who retire tend to use less and less of their cognitive skills. This can lead to a decline in focus and concentration, which can eventually lead to dementia.
The Institute of Economic Affairs has a study on retirees who suffer from clinical depression after retiring. Their study found that the risk goes up to nearly 40% after retiring.
This comes as a direct result of losing the structure and schedule of having a steady job. Part of it is also missing out on the intellectual and social stimulus that work brings.
It’s understandable. Once retired, you give up the daily social interactions you’ve been accustomed to for years. You also give up the steady routine, which you used to hate, but realize, you miss more than ever.
Retirement is like the grieving process people go through when they lose a loved one. You must take it step-by-step and give yourself time to adjust and recalibrate.
I suggest a positive mindset. With time opened, so many things are possible for you. Create a new routine that helps you accomplish the necessities of your day both easily and quickly. Now you can take the time to do those things you had dreamed of for your retirement.
Money as your main goal.
Investment companies make a big buildup of telling us that the key to a successful life is saving up enough money so you can eventually quit working. It’s not particularly goal-oriented, but it accurately describes how many people feel about their work before retirement and after.
It somehow paints this image in your head that retirement is the end of life as you know it. After you’ve reached that milestone, it’s time to sit back, and live out your remaining years in a slow decline.
That could be what your parents’ or grandparents’ generation chose to do with their retirement years. However, many of you today want something that adds purpose to your lives.
Plus, it’s good to find a part-time job somewhere or work as a consultant. This keeps your mind sharp, which is necessary regardless of your age or life stage. Having that option also allows you to meet new people and learn new things.
Looking at the bigger picture.
The people I like the best are those who’re looking at the big picture. They know they’ve spent many years in the workforce. They also know it’s only fair to give the younger generation a chance, just as older generations did for them.
At the same time, they’re not sitting alone at home, feeling victimized. They’re out looking for jobs that fit into their new chapter of life. It could be full-time, part-time, non-profit volunteer work—the world is their oyster, and the choices belong to them.
They’re also out there in the world learning new things and meeting new people. Research shows that socially active retirees enjoy better physical and emotional health.
That’s the beauty of retirement. Being retired doesn’t mean you’ve become a statistic or fallen victim to old age. It means the path has slightly shifted to a new purpose. The best part is you’ve finally reached that point in your life where you get to set the rules.
Sure, you can put your feet up. You’ve certainly earned it!
But you should also keep yourself in good shape, both mentally and physically.
Here are a few ideas you can try to stay happy and healthy during your retirement.
· Volunteer at local shelters, soup kitchens, or any non-profit organization
· Take a class to keep your mind sharp and meet new people with similar interests
· Go on regular walks or join a gym
· Practice yoga, meditation, or tai chi
· Set up a daily routine and stick to it
Remaining active in your senior years.
Depending on your age, and your general health, there are various ways you can stay healthy and energetic.
1. Choose your favorite activity.
Instead of opting for an exercise routine that you are not very familiar with, choose your favorite sport or activity that helps you move more. This makes 'being active' fun and easy.
Good Options Include:
· Walking
· Dancing
· Cycling
· Swimming
· Gardening
· Weight Training: This helps you gain muscle mass which is lost as part of the aging process.
Remember to always ask your doctor before beginning any exercise program
2. Tracking your progress.
Note your progress in a diary. This will help you track your progress and make necessary changes to your physical routine accordingly.
3. Wear suitable clothing.
The clothes you wear while exercising should provide enough ventilation and flexibility for you to move freely. Also, wear appropriate shoes and other safety gear to have a good exercise experience.
4. Drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
Seniors Who Have Had Little Experience of Being Active.
Better late than never! Even if you have never exercised, or have completely stopped exercising, you can always begin again now. Even by performing simple exercises such as a brisk walk every morning, you can develop muscle mass and help strengthen your bones.
Advantages Of Being an Active Senior Adult:
Science proves that being active in old age can help prevent (or at least delay) disease and disability.
Regular physical activities also help improve metabolism, blood circulation, and immune system health.
Studies show that active senior adults are less prone to develop stress and are often in good mood. This in turn can help lower the risks of depression.
Getting regular physical activity helps keep you youthful, energized, and physically fit. As a result, you can enjoy your retirement that much more!
My final thoughts
Once you decide it’s time to retire, look back at all you’ve accomplished, and be proud. You’ve become wiser, more experienced, and certainly, tougher than you were a couple of decades ago.
Retirement is like the pot at the end of the rainbow. You have your heart set on it. Then, once it arrives, you’re so baffled by it, you don’t know what you’re supposed to do with it!
So, if you haven’t created a bucket list of everything you’d like to accomplish in your golden years, now is the time to do it. Then, to make your retirement more enjoyable, get out there, and begin ticking things off that list!
For more information, read these posts.
Why Seniors Should Choose An Online Career
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