Try These Habits for a Happy Retirement

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Habits for a Happy Retirement

Habits for a Happy Retirement

Most people think that planning for a happy retirement is all about their assets. Are the financial assets — pension, 401(k)s/IRAs, Social Security, property, sale of a business, etc. — provide enough income to fund a desired retirement lifestyle? But really that is only half the story.

A paper published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that, for most people, a larger income is associated with greater happiness. But it also revealed a crucial caveat: for some, more money didn’t make a difference. If you were unhappy before, a bigger paycheck wouldn’t change that.

You’ll need enough money to get by, of course, but you don’t have to be super wealthy to be happy. Money isn’t the only — or even the most important — part of a fulfilling retirement. It’s essential to focus on all those things money can’t buy, like these habits that studies show can improve life satisfaction in retirement.

  • Happy retirees work at staying healthy

Good health is one of the most important ingredients for a happy retirement.  The MassMutual Retirement Happiness Study found that nearly half of the happiest retirees said they prioritized their health when planning for retirement. Studies show that exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions, increase energy levels, boost your immune system and improve your mental health.

  • Foster strong social connections

Hobbies and activities with people we like can boost life satisfaction, especially when our social networks shrink after leaving the workforce. The Harvard Longevity Study, the longest-running study of adult life, concluded that good relationships are the strongest predictors of health and happiness, more so than career achievement, exercise or diet. Believe it or not, a low level of social interaction is just as unhealthy as smoking, obesity, alcohol abuse or physical inactivity. So get out there!

  • Happy retirees find a clear sense of purpose

The notion of retirement as time spent golfing, strolling the beach or reading classic novels while sitting in a rocking chair is outdated. While fun, the stereotypical leisure activities associated with retirement don’t provide a sense of purpose or meaning, which is what many retirees say is important.  A 2021 study found that a higher sense of meaning in life was linked to stronger relationships and less loneliness.

  • Never stop learning

Experts believe that ongoing education and learning new things can help keep you mentally sharp. Plus, exercising your brain may help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia. Challenge your brain with mental exercise to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.

  •  Train your brain to be optimistic

A glass-half-full attitude may pay huge dividends — a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other chronic ailments — including a longer life. Researchers have found that participants who were highly optimistic were much less likely to suffer from heart attacks or other cardiovascular events, and had a lower mortality rate than their pessimistic counterparts. Optimistic women had a 50% greater chance of surviving to age 85, and optimistic men had a 70% greater chance. Even the Dalai Lama said, “Choose to be optimistic. It feels better.”

  • Happy retirees practice mindful gratitude

Studies show that people who counted their blessings had a more positive outlook on life, exercised more, reported fewer symptoms of illness and were more likely to help others. People with stronger feelings of gratitude are associated with lower materialism. Gratitude enhances people’s satisfaction with life while reducing their desire to buy stuff — which can help save you money.

  • Get a furry or feathered friend

It turns out that Fido can provide more benefits to you than grabbing the newspaper. Older dog owners who walked their dogs at least once a day got 20% more physical activity than people without dogs, and spent 30 fewer minutes a day being sedentary, on average, according to a study published in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Research has also indicated that dogs help soothe those suffering from cognitive decline, and the physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog can boost the longevity of the owner. If owning a dog is out of the question, cats and birds are lower-maintenance possibilities. Or you could dog-sit for a friend or even consider pursuing home visits from a therapy dog. Therapy Dogs International has a home visit program with volunteer dog/handler teams registered in all 50 states.

Retirement is a major transition made up of many financial and life decisions. To make sure you’re healthy, both physically and mentally, and have that worry-free peace of mind in retirement you’ve always dreamed about, follow the advice above. But you may also want to consider regularly updating your retirement plans and seeking the professional guidance of a financial adviser. That way, you can spend more time focusing on everything else that matters. To discuss your retirement planning, contact us at (312) 578-9300 or info@madonia.com