6 Keys to a Happier Retirement

Photo by dreamsjung - http://flic.kr/p/8aVemj

If you or someone you know is nearing retirement, you’re probably plenty familiar with worries about boredom, activities, finances and more. But there seems to be a set of some common factors that can make the difference between a retirement filled with angst and one rich with challenge and excitement.

For a variety of reasons, it became clear to me a little over two years ago that I had to retire from full-time practice. Still, I was full of fear and trepidation about the prospect. What would I do with myself? How would I make it financially? Would boredom drive me crazy?

Well, after two and a half years, I can honestly say I’ve never been happier or busier in my life. I frequently find myself musing about how I ever had time for a full-time job. I’ve now found the time to do things I was never able to do before and to enjoy things I never took the time to really savor before.

Over these many months of retirement, I’ve been able to connect with other retirees as well as some folks nearing or considering retirement. Their comments and concerns always seem to center around the very same issues with which I wrestled before making the decision to retire. I’ve also done some research, and it appears that there are some common factors that can make the difference between a retirement filled with angst and one rich with challenge and excitement. Some things that appear crucial to a happy retirement include:

Having a plan.
One way to help reduce anxiety associated with a new lifestyle is to have a well thought out plan for how time will be spent. It helps to prioritize the kinds of activities and interests that mean the most to you and to be sure sufficient time is dedicated to them. It also helps to incorporate short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals into a personal retirement plan.
Structuring time.
A lot of newly retired folks complain about losing a sense of structure when they stopped working. Without sufficient structure, a precious day can seem “wasted” before you know it. It’s important to make sure each day allows sufficient time for both necessary and favorite activities.
Balancing “work” and leisure.
Retirement doesn’t mean the end of work. Usually, there are still bills to be paid, yards to be kept, repairs to be made, etc. Too much work can really put a damper on the benefits of retirement. But abandoning all responsibility in favor of a life of pure leisure can have some dire costs, too. So it’s important to strike the right balance.
Keeping the “challenges” in life.
An important secret to staying vital and energized and avoiding feelings of “stagnation” is to set and tackle reasonable challenges. Whether it’s tackling the challenge to learn something new, increasing one’s level of fitness, or going somewhere you’ve never been before, there’s no better way to keep your motivation and spirits high than to set some goals and to strive to reach them.
Re-defining and, if necessary, re-inventing yourself.
So many times we derive much of our sense of identity from the kind of work we have always done. So, when we stop working, it’s easy to lose a sense of who we are. Although one doesn’t necessarily have to abandon all sense of professional identity, it’s important to make some decisions about how we want to see ourselves as retirees.
Staying active.
There’s almost nothing more toxic to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being than inactivity. Some retirees even go back to work part-time in their same or an entirely different occupation just to ensure that they remain active. And with regard to our skills, it’s important that we “use them or lose them”. Staying active, especially in a variety of activities that require the use of many skills, is key to a healthy retirement.

I have a lot still planned for this retirement. And I have abundant challenges to face. Some health issues are making it paramount that I do all I can to use and preserve my skills and to stay as fit as possible. So, I’m almost always doing something. I may be retired, but I’m a very busy guy.

All clinical material on this site is peer reviewed by one or more clinical psychologists or other qualified mental health professionals. This specific article was originally published by on and was last reviewed or updated by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on .

4 Comments (2 Discussion Threads) on “6 Keys to a Happier Retirement”

Would you like to join the discussion on “6 Keys to a Happier Retirement”?

Overseen by an international advisory board of distinguished academic faculty and mental health professionals with decades of clinical and research experience in the US, UK and Europe, CounsellingResource.com provides peer-reviewed mental health information you can trust. Our material is not intended as a substitute for direct consultation with a qualified mental health professional. CounsellingResource.com is accredited by the Health on the Net Foundation.

Copyright © 2002-2024. All Rights Reserved.