Adjusting into Retirement - Tips to Help You Thrive!

Introduction

Depending on how you enter retirement, for many it can be a worrying transition - but it doesn’t need to be! Retirement should be treated as a reward for all your years of hard work.

We have gathered together a list of steps, and within this list we’ll check off all the ways you can easily adjust yourself into retirement, embrace the change and ensure you make the most out of your newly acquired free time!

Get Your Finances in Order

To start getting the ball rolling for retirement you should do your best to organise your finances. Firstly, if you're able, you might consider cutting back on spending in the run up to your retirement and calculating the amount of money you will have and what your monthly budget will look like.

Start looking into any benefits you could potentially be entitled to, claim your state pension and hunt down any previous pension plans you may have.

Consider Staged Retirement

Many people find it much easier to cut back on hours rather than jumping straight into retirement.

You can speak to your employer to reduce your hours, it can be a gradual reduction over a number of years, this will help you get used to having the additional free time. Or, if you would like a slower paced job, you can always seek part time employment in a more laid-back environment. Some of us love to work, and there's no reason that can't continue at a more relaxed pace.

Prepare For the High and Lows

This may need a slight attitude adjustment, first of all you need to allow the time to familiarise yourself with your new life.

Focus on what you are gaining and try to think positively. There very well may be times you feel down, lost or lonely, in these times ensure you share these feelings with your close ones. This is completely normal when going through a life change.

Eat Well

Try to remember to eat regularly, as your routine will have changed from the working day routine.

You may get up earlier or later and your lunchbreak may have been dictated by your work day schedule. Once you retire, make sure to have your main 3 meals of breakfast, lunch and Dinner at around the same times each day.

Book in a physical with your doctor. As we age, we are more at risk of age-related health conditions, and they can advise on the best diet for your new lifestyle.

Routine

Sticking to a schedule can help your life feel structured and less stressful.

By simply showering every day, waking up at the same time and having lunch at the same time each day can help you feel better emotionally.

Prevent stagnancy by preparing a plan of roughly what you’d like your days to look like, scheduling things in your calendar like exercise and socialising with friends.

Keep Your Mind Active

Why not use your newly acquired time to challenge yourself and learn something new, like a language, a musical instrument or try out new exciting recipes?

Studies have shown the more you keep your mind active the more likely you are to stave off cognitive decline and memory problems, so it is important to continue stimulating the brain into retirement.

Keep Your Body Active

Exercise is a great mood booster and relieves stress.

It is advised to do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, if you are new to working out try and aim for 30 minutes a day. This could be as simple as adding a morning walk to your daily routine or joining a dance class like salsa which is also a fantastic way to meet new people.  

Set Yourself Goals

Take some time to sit and reflect on what you would like to achieve in retirement and write out a to do list for yourself. Schedule the time in your calendar to make it happen.

You can take it month by month setting small easy tasks to begin with as you’re settling into retirement like finishing the book you haven’t had chance to pick up yet. Then move onto places you want to visit and milestones you’d like to meet.

Socialise

Retiring doesn’t mean you lose contact with your work colleagues. You can make arrangements to meet up for lunch for regular catch ups. Meet up with old friends that you may have not had the time to travel to see. Be sure to host game nights, dinner parties and BBQs to keep up to date with friends and family to stay socially connected.

It’s never too late to build new relationships too!

Treat Yourself!

You are due a well-deserved treat after all those years of hard work you have put in.

Make some time and plan a treat for yourself whether it’s a short city break, bowling or something for the home you have been working hard for. Go on, treat yourself!

Go places

Retirement is the best time to indulge in some sight-seeing, like the tourist attractions of this country, see how many castle grounds you can visit in one day, go camping, mini break to Rome?

The world is your oyster, now you can make those long-awaited plans a reality!