New Research from Royal Voluntary Service, and Legal & General, unveils the formula for a happy retirement. One in ten new retirees say that they are still not enjoying retirement but research reveals that those happiest in retirement are twice as likely to have found a purpose after work. So how do you cope with leaving work and possible feelings of loneliness or lack of fulfilment? Psychologist Jo Hemmings shares her advice for transitioning into retirement successfully:
Find a sense of purpose
Plan ahead – many people feel quite lost when they retire. Having worked a 40-hour week or more they suddenly find they have more time on their hands than ever before. That’s why it’s a good to plan travel, books to read and hobbies to fill time before you actually retire.
Sense of purpose – even those looking forward to retirement can lose their sense of identity or purpose when they stop working. To alleviate this, you should take up activities which enable you to hold onto your identity and purpose, such as volunteering.
Loneliness – when you’re no longer surrounded by colleagues’ daily, it’s easy for loneliness to creep in. There are many ways to curb this feeling, appealing to all interests and energy levels. From film groups to choir clubs, take a look for activities in your local area.
Get fit – local gyms offer a wide variety of classes (including some just for over 60s) which keep you active and let you meet new people regularly. Try yoga, Pilates, aqua fitness, dance class or even a walking group.
Become tech savvy – getting your tech skills up to scratch unlocks new possibilities like starting a blog, learning a language online or setting up a social media group. Get involved and connected through Twitter, Instagram or Facebook – they’re not just social media platforms for the young.
Brain training – you’re probably used to thinking on the spot, making decisions and being challenged in the working day. Brain training games help to maintain cognitive abilities and can be played on a computer or phone.
Do something special with your freedom – retirement could be the time you’ve been waiting for to get a dog, write that book, plan travel that’s more than two weeks long, or even climb a mountain if that’s your longing.
Volunteer – volunteering is one of the best things you can do in retirement. Not only does it ward off loneliness and boost emotional wellbeing, it gives you a sense of perspective and belonging. It also keeps you socially connected and makes a huge difference to the lives of those that you support. To find opportunities in your local area visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk