As someone who fully intends to carry on till I literally drop, I rarely think about retirement, but I am aware that its important, and none of us know what cards we will be handed! I know people who made the very most of their retirement, and my own parents, who sadly, didn’t. This article comes from a US guest writer who is focusing on mental wellbeing in retirement, definitely worth some consideration! Janey
You may have spent a lot of your working life looking forward to the day you can retire and spend your days doing exactly what you want but for some, the reality doesn’t match their expectations. It may seem that you have too much time on your hands, or you feel lonely once you aren’t surrounded by your colleagues all day. Many retired people suffer from mental health problems such as depression and the feeling of isolation and it is important to take care of your mental well-being as well as your physical health as you get older. Here are five ways to take care of your mental well-being in retirement.
Keep In Touch
You may have retired but that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep in touch with your old work colleagues, especially the ones you have built up friendships with outside of work. Make a point of keeping in touch and meeting up with them regularly. This will help to reduce your feelings of isolation.
Start New Hobbies
Retirement is a brilliant time to take up new hobbies. You finally have the time to do those things you always wanted to do when you were working and could never find the time for. You may decide to learn a new language, enjoy a new craft, or spend more time on your existing hobbies. This can help to enjoy your retirement and keep your brain active.
Be Part of Your Community
You may not have had time to join in with community activities when you were working. However, retirement is a wonderful time to rectify this. Many people decide to downsize to assisted living for seniors and be surrounded by like-minded people at this stage of their lives. This will give you the opportunity to make new friends and join in activities. Becoming part of a community can give you a sense of belonging and can work wonders for your mental well-being.
Volunteer
Many retired people start to suffer from low moods if they no longer feel as useful as they did when they were working. Volunteering can help you to take care of your mental well-being, as it gives you a sense of purpose. You could work for an organization that is close to your heart and use skills that you have built up over your working life. Alternatively, you could decide to volunteer for something that offers you a new experience and the chance to learn new skills.
Keep Active
Exercise isn’t just good for your physical health, it can be excellent for your mental wellbeing too. It is a natural mood booster as you release endorphins when you work out. It will help you to reduce stress and promote a good night’s sleep. It can also give you an enormous sense of achievement and satisfaction.
Retirement can be the best and most exciting time of your life. You finally have time to take care of your mental well-being, so you should make the most of it.
Thanks to our guest writer.
I’d add in ….Look at your relationship with Alcohol!
Ditching the booze is the BEST thing you will ever do for your health and mental wellbeing as you age….just saying! Join us in The Sober Club for support and connection