Retirement is a time that’s supposed to be all about you. You’ve worked hard, raised your children and now you want to enjoy your golden years. And with people living longer than ever before, there’s no reason to sit around thinking you don’t have a life to live. Just like every other age milestone, there are things you can do to make this period of your life happier and healthier.
Stay Physically Fit
Age is just a number, so there’s no reason to let retirement slow you down. Unless there are medical contraindications, stay as active as possible. Swimming is an excellent way to stay in shape and reduce stress levels as well. You also need to stay current with annual physical exams and any preventive testing your doctor recommends. The healthier you are, the easier it is do all things you planned on doing before you retired.
Pick Your Brain
In addition to keeping your body in good shape, your brain needs regular exercise too. Far too often, people stop working and sit in front of a television. Not only can this lead to depression, but it can also lead to a reduction in mental acuity. Even if you’re taking time to decompress, push yourself to learn something new. Learning a new language is a great way to keep your mind sharp.
Spend Wisely
Most seniors are on a budget, so now’s not the time to overspend. Create a budget that allows for the necessities and the occasional splurge. Think about any large purchases of trips you have coming up and adjust your spending accordingly. Even if you have a large pension, you never know when something will come up. It’s always better to have that money set aside than to be caught without enough to cover an emergency.
You should look for ways to lower your monthly debt. If you’re still paying on student loans, consolidating your debt is a good idea. By taking advantage of student loan refinance programs, which most private lenders offer, can help you lower your monthly bill overall. You may even find yourself being able to save more than you expected.
Live a Peaceful Life
After years of commuting and taking care of your family, it’s time to step back and enjoy the silence. That doesn’t mean living hours from civilization, however, if you’re ready for a change of scenery, you should go for it. If you’re not happy where you live or if it’s just not the same neighborhood, look for other places you would like to live. It’s not uncommon for city dwellers to relocate to the countryside or beach once they retire. After all, this period of your life is supposed to be about doing things that make you feel good.
Learn to Say No
Having more free time doesn’t mean you need to say yes all the time. This is especially true when it comes to looking after grandchildren and running errands for others. Set limits on how much free time you have prior to anyone asking for help. Even with the best intentions, it’s easy for adult children to think their parents have nothing better to do than watch their grandchildren or help out when they’re at work.