When it comes to retirement, most assume that the happiness and well-being you’ll experience throughout comes down to the amount of money you have saved. And, sure, financial stability is important in retirement. It means never having to worry about going broke or being unable to pay for medical care. But it’s not the only or even the most important piece of a fulfilling retirement.
Most of your fulfillment and satisfaction will come from aspects of life that money cannot buy. We’ve found the 7 best habits of happy retirees to make your retirement a thing of dreams.
Habit #1: Staying healthy
According to a Merill Lynch/Age Wave report, retirees say that health is the #1 ingredient for a happy retirement. Why? Because exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions, increase energy levels, boost your immune system and improve your mood.
“Investing in health can be just as important – to retirement happiness and even financial security – as investing in a financial portfolio.”
Worried that it’s too late to get moving and start eating right? Don’t worry, Harvard research proved that those who become physically active and adopt a healthier diet late in life still dramatically lower the risk of cardiovascular illnesses and have a lower death rate than their peers.
Habit #2: Form strong social connections
When we leave the workforce, our social networks tend to shrink. However, participating in hobbies and activities we enjoy with people we like can help to boost life satisfaction. One Gallup poll found that “The more time Americans spend socially with family and friends, the more likely they are to report enjoyment and happiness in their lives without a lot of stress and worry.”
More so, social isolation has been linked to higher rates of heart disease and stroke, increased risk of dementia, and greater occurrence of depression and anxiety, according to Mary Kane of Kiplinger.
“A simple phone call [a day] is one strategy to help counter social isolation among the elderly, a condition increasingly recognized as a health threat on par with smoking, and even more harmful than obesity.”
If you can’t manage a simple phone call a day like Kane suggested, you may find ways to stay connected by participating in social events at your local community centre or library, such as game nights, weekly outings or book clubs.
Habit #3: Finding your purpose!
Retirement isn’t all about walking the beach, reading your “to be read” pile or golfing, much to many’s surprise. Though it’s important to find ways to have fun in retirement, fun itself doesn’t provide a sense of meaning or purpose, which is what many retirees argue is really important, and is why many retirees choose to continue to work.
Yep – that’s right – retirement can mean work because you want to, and not because you have to.
Sure, we spend our lives in the daily grind imagining how incredible it would be to not have to work. But once you’re free to do anything you want (and maybe have a good 3 month holiday from any work-related responsibility…) you can actually start to pursue your real dreams, exploring avenues you never gave yourself a chance to before and trying out things you’d never imagined.
This could be as simple as volunteering, where you can find happiness helping people in need. Or, you could finally work on that novel you never thought you’d have time for. Maybe sell or donate the amazing creations you can knit/sew/crochet so you can spread warmth through the world.
The fact is, there are so many ways to find purpose in retirement. All you need to do is consider what will give you a sense of meaning to you in your years of retirement, and try it out.
Even if you try out 20 different things, at least you’re living!
If you’re looking for ideas on how to find a job after retirement? Check out our blog here.
Habit #4: Never stop learning
While it’s always satisfying to keep learning new things, the truth is that experts themselves believe that ongoing education and learning new things may help to keep us mentally sharp and get us in the habit of staying mentally active.
“A higher level of education is associated with better mental functioning in old age. Experts think that advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being mentally active. Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.” – Harvard Medical School’s Healthbeat Newsletter
Much like your body, exercising your brain requires constant stimulation. By trying something new, you can improve your health and well-being greatly in retirement.
Habit #5: A new perspective (optimism)
In 2019, researchers found that participants who rated highly in optimism were less likely to suffer from heart attacks or other cardiovascular events and had a lower mortality rate than those who were pessimistic.
But it’s not just that…
Another research article indicated that people with higher levels of optimism lived longer, with optimistic women given a 50% greater chance of surviving to 85, and optimistic men a 70% greater chance.
“Previous studies reported that more optimistic individuals are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases and die prematurely. Our results further suggest that optimism is specifically related to 11 to 15% longer life span, on average, and to greater odds of achieving “exceptional longevity,” that is, living to the age of 85 or beyond.”
It’s proof that a simple change to perspective can improve your quality and length of life. Which means if you’re leaning toward the pessimistic side? It might be time to try something new and find a dose of optimism in your everyday life.
Habit #6: Practice gratitude
Want to know what helps most with maintaining an optimistic perspective? Practicing gratitude.
I know, that might sound like a lot of “hooey” but studies by psychologists showed that people who count their blessings have a more positive outlook on life, exercise more, report fewer symptoms of illness and are also more likely to help other people. Nathaniel Lambert supported this belief, finding that stronger feelings of gratitude are associated with lower levels of materialism and that it enhances people’s satisfaction with life (while also reducing their desire to buy stuff…).
One of the simplest ways to practice gratitude? Take just a few minutes each day to write down, in a journal or even in the notes app on your phone, a few things you feel grateful for.
It can be as grand as getting a new job, or as small as the taste of your coffee.
Habit #7: A furry friend!
Okay, this one might sound a little funny to some, but it turns out simply owning a dog can provide you with a fulfilling retirement.
Of course, the habit of walking your four-legged friend once a day leads to increased physical activity, but research has also indicated that dogs help soothe those suffering from cognitive decline, and that the physical and mental benefits of owning a dog can boost the longevity of its owner’s life. Which makes a lot of sense considering Therapy Dogs are now becoming increasingly popular.
If there’s no way you’re getting a dog? Cats, birds, and even mice are lower-maintenance options that will still light up your retirement.
If you want to experience a happy retirement? It really is about focusing on the important things in life that money can’t buy. These 7 habits of happy retirees are just some of the ways you can engage your purpose, improve your mood, and ensure a long life made comfortable.
