There are certain phases of life that cause a huge shift in the way you are used to living. From leaving home to starting a family, these changes take some getting used to, and retirement is no different.
It’s a time of mixed emotions for many – happy at the new-found freedom, worried about what the future holds, fear that you’re not useful anymore after leaving your job.
Sometimes the best way to deal with things concerning you is to tackle them head-on, so if you’re approaching retirement age or if you recently retired, here are five things you should give some thought to.
Your Finances
It’s a good idea to get your finances in order when you retire as you don’t want to overspend, but at the same time, you don’t want to live a very frugal life if you have the funds to be a bit more frivolous.
Get an idea of roughly how much you will have to come in from pensions, investments, and any other income.
Calculate what your current outgoings are and see if you can continue like this or if you will need to tighten your belt.
With this information, you can create a rough budget to make sure you live within your means.
If you think you might struggle and you can free up funds from elsewhere, such as downsizing your home, it might be something worth considering.
Care Options
You might feel fit as a fiddle right now, but it’s worth considering what help you might need in the future.
You might have considered independent living vs assisted living and wondered what the difference is. In a nutshell, when you start feeling you need a little extra help, assisted living is often the answer as you get to keep your independence but with the bonus of help being available at all times.
The final option is a care home that is suited to people who need round-the-clock care, possibly because medical conditions mean they cannot take care of themselves.
Staying Well
It’s important to stay active and to carry out some low-impact exercise to get your heart rate up too.
Swimming, Pilates, dancing, and yoga are good options but seek medical advice before embarking on any kind of new exercise regime.
You should also make sure you’re getting a healthy balanced diet. A variety of fruits and vegetables, proteins such as fish, eggs, and beans, wholegrain foods, and dairy products are a good mix.
Keeping Busy
Finishing work doesn’t have to mean you have to sit around getting bored. Stay busy by picking up a few hobbies, volunteering, and taking time to travel to new places.
Family and Friends
Without the routine of seeing people at work, it can be easy for seniors to become lonely and isolated so staying in touch with friends and family is vital.
You can have the grandchildren over to stay or spend time visiting people.
It doesn’t always have to be seeing people in person; a phone call or even video call can really help to lift spirits.
So if you have some concerns about your retirement, simply make plans, take good care of yourself, and have as much fun as possible. You can’t go back, but you can make sure you get everything possible from life now and in the future.
