| Despite the hype we see about the joys of | | | | work relationships can be a sudden shock to |
| retirement, being retired is a significant life change. | | | | many. If spouses still work and family and friends |
| Research indicates many people struggle with | | | | are engaged in their hectic lives, the newly retired |
| making the transition. What can you do to make | | | | person can suddenly find themselves feeling alone |
| this a positive shift in your life? | | | | and isolated. Identify people you can reach out to |
| Recognize retirement is a significant life change. | | | | for companionship and support. If this list is too |
| We hear so much about the fantasy about | | | | short, you're going to have to reach out and |
| retirement that many people are not prepared | | | | make new acquaintances. This can be a challenge |
| for the day to day life. The first thing you need | | | | if you haven't done it for a while, but it's an |
| to realize is that retirement is not an extended | | | | important part of a successful retirement. Do not |
| vacation. Retirement is a significant change similar | | | | believe you can find adequate relationships solely |
| to getting divorced after being married for thirty | | | | on the Internet. You need actual contact with |
| years. If you are mentally prepared to approach | | | | others. |
| retirement as a significant change requiring effort, | | | | Establish healthy patterns immediately. If you've |
| the adjustment will be easier. | | | | put off exercising and eating correctly because |
| Find a balance between being still and activity. If | | | | you didn't have time when you worked, as soon |
| you have had a stressful and busy working life, | | | | as you retire develop healthy habits. Make sure |
| there is a tendency to vacillate between over | | | | you get outside and have some sort of physical |
| activity or not doing anything. Find a balance | | | | activity. Look at your eating habits and determine |
| between the two. Make sure you schedule | | | | if you're making the best choices. If not, start |
| activities during your week, but don't get so busy | | | | now to eat healthier. |
| that you don't have quiet time. It's important for | | | | Find something new to learn. Just like with your |
| your brain and body to be given the opportunity | | | | body, keeping your brain active and engaged is |
| to slow down, but not to the point of becoming | | | | paramount to a successful transition into |
| depressed. | | | | retirement. Take classes, read books, and play |
| Balance fun with responsibilities. At one extreme, | | | | games. If you don't have hobbies, spend time |
| new retirees tackle their list of to-do's they've put | | | | exploring what new interests you can develop. |
| off with a vengeance. Closets are cleaned out, | | | | You may have to experiment with a lot of |
| the house is painted, work that was on hold | | | | different activities, but enjoy the process of |
| replaces employment. On the other end, some | | | | learning to find what is a good match for your |
| people begin to lead a life of decadent leisure, with | | | | interests. |
| one play activity after another. A good retirement | | | | Don't get too comfortable. Take on new |
| consists of neither all work nor all play. Making | | | | challenges and risks. Humans feel most alive when |
| time to finish projects is important, as is finding | | | | they are outside their comfort zone. You don't |
| time for leisure and play activities. Creating a life | | | | have to put yourself in harms way, but find ways |
| with a healthy dose of both work and play makes | | | | to stretch yourself. Meet new people, volunteer, |
| for the best retirement. | | | | take up a new sport or new hobby. If you're |
| Develop routines. Being able to do what you want, | | | | reluctant to try something because you don't feel |
| when you want is the ideal retirement for many. | | | | comfortable, then try it exactly for that reason. |
| For a rewarding retirement, start to develop | | | | Complacency is the worst choice you can make |
| routines immediately. You get to experiment and | | | | when you first retire. |
| chose the patterns, but you will find much more | | | | Retirement is a significant life change. It can be |
| time to do what you want when you want if you | | | | the most rewarding time of life. By following |
| establish routines from the beginning. | | | | these suggestions, you can start to develop the |
| Identify support and connections. The loss of | | | | life you want to lead. |