Self-Care Retirement, A New Chapter Unfolds…

Pause. Reset. Restart. A New Beginning….

Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway. It’s a time to enjoy everything you never had time to do when you worked. It’s time to pause and be proud of your accomplishments. It’s time to reset your priorities and plan your newfound free time. It’s time to restart living your life your way.

Now it’s time to create a new chapter of your life, create an exceptional one. It’s your retirement and you should reward yourself with a great and joyous solo vacation that you always craved.

“There is something funny, when a man retires and time is no longer a matter of urgent importance, his colleagues generally present him with a watch.”

Find the Balance and Calm in between the Extremes

Your mind must be racing through many questions during this phase of getting into the retirement shoes like  “How much money will I need?” and “Am I saving enough?” 

No doubt your financial security is certainly critical, but you need to stockpile your emotional reserves more than money for a successful retirement.

This life stage puts you through a lot of psychological adjustments which can include coping with the loss of your career identity, replacing support networks you had through work, spending more time than ever before with your spouse, and finding new and engaging ways to stay active.

For some retirees this may be a smooth transition into retirement, spending more time with hobbies or family and friends. But for some, it might be an experience of anxiety, depression, and debilitating feelings of loss. You might go through hell and will never say a word about it, often because you are embarrassed.

You need to overcome this milestone by being mindful and planning your time wisely to keep yourself in good mental health so that you are living the good life.

You may like to read: Aging Means Awakening to New Way of Life

Set The Tone For Your Happiness

Retirement is not like jumping off a diving board, it’s a process and it takes time. Find your ways to keep yourself truly engaged in your post-retirement activities.

• You may take up post-retirement bridge employment or volunteer to help stave off depression, as well as dementia and hypertension. 
• Invest as much if not more time in your social or psychological portfolio, to figure out what makes you happy.
• Become a mentor to social networking groups, and participate in outreach programs at local businesses and nonprofits.

Self-Care Retirement Tips

Important Things First to Get You on the Track for a Happy Retirement

Go Slow
You may be going through anxiety about this newfound free time. But it’s time to slow down, sit and relax, and enjoy your leisure time. Create your missing out list in life which you couldn’t pursue then when you were busy.

Your Personal Journal
This phase will bring many thoughts, emotions, perspectives, and ideas. Start writing down your thoughts and your aims to 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 a time to make it happen, so you experience a sense of accomplishment, as you would have done at work.

Develop a routine
You may find it feels more normal to continue getting up, eating, and going to bed at roughly the same time every day. Plan regular activities such as voluntary work, self-time, reading a book, exercise, and hobbies. This will keep things interesting and give you a purpose.

Read Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life.

Exercise your mind and body
Studies have shown that exercise protects against Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia by stimulating the brain’s ability to maintain old connections as well as make new ones. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. The ideal plan involves a combination of cardio exercise and strength training. You should indulge in reading or mind-stimulating activities to keep your mind active and challenge yourself mentally, whether it’s learning an instrument or a language or getting a qualification.

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. There are many interest-based meetups group that you can explore.

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.

Pamper yourself
After decades of hard work, you are due some ‘self-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.

Practise mindfulness
It’s time to join a group that practices mindfulness. It has become extremely essential than ever in the last decade as a strategy to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.

Scientifically it proved that 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 results, but a mere 10 to 20 minutes of mindfulness a day can be beneficial—if you stick with it.

Be one with nature
Being out in nature and breathing some fresh air is an instant mood booster and instrumental in maintaining your wellbeing. Incorporate a daily walk in the nearby park into your daily routine. This is an ideal way of achieving the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

Give back to the community
Volunteering for any cause gives you purpose and a deep sense of achievement. Involving yourself with the purpose to give brings meaning to your Life. Your contribution to society can inspire you to create a real impact.

You may like to read Gratitude, Boosts Health and Wellness

Last but not least…Travel more

Have you always dreamt of going on an experiential trip, or an adventure expedition? Now it’s time to 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.

Enjoy this major life change, and take some time to adjust. You surely would adjust to a more meaningful and happy life and hopefully, these retirement tips will give you some perspective in this new chapter of your life. 

Reboot Reinvent Rewire: Managing Retirement in the Twenty-first Century – Kindle Edition