Valentine’s Day is a celebration of all things love, so on this day ask yourself this very important question: Are you preparing for a retirement that you will love?
Depending on when you stop working and your longevity, your retirement could last decades, so it’s crucial to have a plan that will help you enjoy this season of life. Loving retirement is about finding joy and purpose and having a plan that supports your long-term stability.
Here are seven steps to help you prepare for a retirement that you will love.
Related: Romance Scams: 6 Tips to Prevent Financial Ruin
1. Redefine Your Purpose
Without a career to focus your energy on, it’s important to find other ventures that give you a sense of meaning and fulfillment.
Retirement is a time to pursue personal goals, such as trying new hobbies, learning new skills or traveling. Consider starting a passion project that you can delve deeply into, like starting a blog, learning a new craft, or planting a garden. Many retirees also find purpose in philanthropy and giving back to their communities.
2. Nourish Your Health
Staying healthy in retirement is simple when you focus on:
- Exercise: Whether you walk, swim or take exercise classes, moving every day helps improve your mood and keeps you healthy.
- A balanced diet: Eat a variety of foods from all the food groups.
- Hydration: Drink around eight glasses of water a day.
- Sleep: Get around seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
- Preventive care: Visit your doctor regularly to maintain your health and catch concerns early when they’re easier to treat.
3. Keep Your Mind Sharp
Exercise your brain daily by playing games, doing puzzles, reading and writing, and taking free classes at your local library or university. Forbes references a study that shows how brain exercises help older adults maintain reasoning skills and speed of cognition after 10 years, plus another study that concludes older adults who learn a complex new activity like quilting or photography enhance their memories.
4. Foster Social Connections
Stay connected with friends and family by meeting up in person as often as possible and making phone or video calls to long-distance connections. Get involved in your community and meet like-minded people through clubs, sports leagues, churches and community groups.
5. Have a Daily Routine
Many retirees struggle with transitioning from the structure of working to a life with plenty of free time, so plan ahead for your daily retirement routine. Consider an invigorating morning that includes exercise, a nourishing breakfast and meditation. Schedule a couple hours each afternoon to focus on things that make you happy, such as hobbies or classes. Plan for a purposeful evening that includes reading, puzzles or garden work.
6. Manage Stress and Focus on Positivity
Stress is bad for you both physically and mentally, so instead of focusing on negative aspects of retired life, embrace the flexibility and freedom of retirement. Focus on the opportunities rather than the limitations and practice stress management strategies that can help you find peace of mind.
7. Protect Your Financial Security
Explore insurance options that may help you protect your assets and get more mileage out of your retirement income, such as Medicare Supplement insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance and annuities.
Want more? Check out our blog, 4 Tips to Help You Emotionally Prepare for Retirement
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