5 Habits Happy and Healthy Retirees Share
Preparing for retirement seems to revolve too much around the numbers—how much to save, what and when to withdraw, considering taxes, the type of insurance coverage you need, etc.
But whether you’re transitioning toward retirement soon or already enjoying your golden years, it’s important to remember that the numbers—while important—aren’t everything.
They’re only one part of what your retirement will look like.
As 2021 winds down and you look forward to the new year, we want to help end things on a positive note. Consider these five healthy habits your dose of inspiration to make retirement as sweet as can be.
Habit #1: Stay Physically Active
Whether you’ve been a workout fanatic your whole life or just starting your fitness journey, staying active will directly impact your overall happiness in retirement.
Exercising regularly offers essential benefits for retirees such as:
- Reducing the risk of certain diseases
- Maintaining balance and strength
- Improving sleep
- Boosting the immune system
- Maintaining mental stimulation
- Combating isolation
In a recent study, retirees actually ranked their health as the most important ingredient to a happy retirement.1 And it makes sense, why work so hard to save for retirement if you won’t be physically able to enjoy it?
If you’re a fitness novice, there’s no better time to start than in retirement. From aerial yoga to horseback riding, to walking groups, there’s any number of activities you can try that aren’t in a gym or on a treadmill.
The important thing is to find something you enjoy and can stick to regularly. The CDC recommends that adults 65 and older take part in 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.2 For reference, that’s just about 20 minutes a day.
Habit #2: Challenge Your Mind
Just as you want to keep your body in working condition, your mind needs to be challenged as well. Exercising your brain regularly plays a critical role in maintaining cognitive function for longer in life.
Reading a new book or completing a crossword puzzle are great ways to start the day off right. Anytime you try a new activity, engage in a meaningful conversation with friends, or take a class, you’re challenging your mind. That stimulation is needed to feel fulfilled and engaged throughout your retirement.
Find ways to minimize your screen time. Instead, focus on utilizing your time in retirement to the fullest. If there’s a hobby you’ve always enjoyed, maybe it’s time to explore it deeper. Whatever you enjoy doing, consider how you can make it mentally challenging and engaging.
Habit #3: Build a Routine You Love
By the time retirement rolls around, it’s natural to feel resentment towards a nine-to-five. But love it or hate it, it did give you a routine. Ending that routine abruptly (i.e., retiring) can be a shock to the system.
To maintain a feeling of regularity, consider creating a new routine—one that’s dictated by your own interests and desires. Instead of obligation, this routine is driven by things that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Take some time to explore what feels good for you. Your new routine can contain whatever you want: gardening in the morning, babysitting your grandkids in the afternoon, and volunteering at the library in the evenings. You may even find that you miss having a work schedule, in which case an encore career or part-time job might scratch that itch.
Because you’re living a work-optional life in retirement, you have the newfound freedom to create a routine that works best for you.
Habit #4: Find a Community That Fills You Up
A routine isn’t the only thing that gets left behind in the office when you retire. You likely had coworkers you considered friends or family, and leaving them in retirement is challenging. But your social life is just as meaningful in retirement as it was during your working years.
To combat isolation, you’ll need to be proactive in rebuilding a community of friends and family. A community, no matter how big or small, is central to a joyous retirement. Connect with others at your fitness center, church, clubs, or community center. Find people who may have interests and hobbies in common, or join a volunteer organization.
Habit #5: Identify Your Purpose
Defining your “why” has never been more vital than in retirement. It’s easy to fall into a sedentary, listless lifestyle when you’re no longer obligated to go to work. But with 20+ years ahead of you, it’s essential to make them count.
What will give you meaning, value, and purpose in retirement? From passion projects to starting your own business, there’s no end to the things you can focus your time and energy on in retirement.
Many retirees find value in volunteering with an organization they’re passionate about or embarking on an encore career they’ve always dreamt of. Finding a purpose in retirement gives you something to work toward, focus on and get excited about in the years to come.
Finding Happiness in Retirement
Preparing for a healthy and happy retirement extends far beyond a financial plan. At Legacy Wealth, we can take the lead on getting you to and through the transition process. But it’s on you to envision what your own happy, healthy and purposeful retirement will look like. Once you have the ideal retirement life in mind, we can develop an ongoing plan to help you work towards your goals.
Feel free to reach out to our team today to discuss your own retirement planning questions.
Sources:
2 https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm
Advisory services are offered through Legacy Wealth Advisors, LLC dba Legacy Wealth Advisors, an Investment Advisor in the State of Michigan.
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