Each stage of life come with different challenges, expectations and dreams. Many people look forward to a happy retirement. Often the reality is different.
When the time to retire comes, many become worried about how they will spend their time, especially men. Some even become depressed and lonely because they are no longer productive in the workforce.
To beat the retirement blues, one has to take some preemptive actions; planning well amounts to ending well.
These five factors will keep you productive, happy and also help you beat the worrisome retirement blues.
Engage with Others (Be socially active)
Retirement is about reaching out to peers, both old and new. If you did not have a network of friends during your working days, you could still enter a community estate (for people over the age of 55); here you will meet people, join activities, get more productive and ultimately enjoy the passage of time.
Some of these communities are all-encompassing, places like Tallowood Lifestyle Resort provides exclusive opportunities for people 55 years and above. It is enriched with leisure activities, supportive community, caring hands and other state-of-the-art facilities all which are tailored towards a better pace of life.
These communities contribute to the social, economic, physical and psychological wellbeing of senior citizens. Though it may sound a bit of a cliche, this can serve as your new haven.
Creativity
Creativity knows no bound; it is not just for the younger people. If you love crafts, arts, writing or any other creative endeavour, use your retirement age and enjoy this passion.
Take your time, work on the long-awaited novel, inspire humanity and create your paintings and drawings. Being creative is a single factor that can prolong life.
It wades off age-related diseases like dementia, stroke and diabetes. Conditions
related to inactivity may be controlled or halted with creativity.
Volunteer
Finding a new sense of purpose brings an increased vitality to life. Volunteer services at this age may sound counterintuitive; retirement means not working anymore, right?
Continuing a paid job is not necessarily crucial at this stage of life; however, many senior citizens realize that they miss the unique feeling of productivity, purpose and self-worth.
To beat the blues, channel your energy towards something that will add value to the world around you. Globally, retirees are the best volunteers out there.
In the United States of America, 23% of retirees aged 65 and above engage in some volunteer activities (Chris Opfer, 2017).
Volunteer activities help humanity; it improves general wellbeing, and it aids longevity because this sense of purpose keeps you going.
Learn a New Desirable Skill
Have you always wanted to be a graphic designer, a writer or an artist; this might be the only opportunity to make this long-suppressed dream a reality.
Your retirement free time can allow you to broaden your repertoire. Take this opportunity to invest in whatever abilities, interests and hobbies that eluded you at a younger age.
A new skill will help you feel alive once again. It improves your memory, wellbeing and productivity. You may want to sell some of your items at a local market as a means of having some extra disposable income.
Travel the world
Don’t do it alone A trip may sound like a cliché, but travelling after retirement is
one way of being active.
If you still have your partner, do it together, if you do not then travel with groups, social groups, companies or researchers.
A single trip can give you one of the simplest, most important experiences in life. This helps you beat depression, emptiness, restlessness and other symptoms. You may see the world in a new light and get a new perspective on life.
Your perspective, schedule, mental-flexibility and rhythm determine your type of life at this retirement stage
Piking one or two ways as listed above can and will hopefully help you better deal with the dreaded retirement blues.