Most of us look forward to retirement – the day we are finally no longer a slave to the alarm clock and the workplace, and we get to do what we want and spend our time having fun! However, even those who look forward to retirement can feel a little daunted and worried as the big day starts to approach. Work can give us a sense of worth and provides us with a routine, so people do start to worry about how they will fill that work shaped hole in their lives.
If you are approaching retirement and have been having these worries, here are some things that you can do as you approach retirement and enter it that will give you that purpose as well as practical and sensible ways to plan for the future so that you can really enjoy and get the most out of your retirement…
Move House – Retirement is a good opportunity to assess your finances and where you live. Speak to a professional financial advisor beforehand to find out what you can do to improve your financial situation during your retirement years. If you are living in a large family home which is really too big for you now, it is a good idea to find somewhere that is smaller and more suited to retirement. As well as being a home that will support you as you get older, it will also save you money. There are lots of retirement options, from apartments in the city, to park homes like these Gloucester park homes for sale that are great for retirees.
Get a Dog – Many people who want to own a dog know that whilst they are working long hours this is not a realistic thing. Dogs need to have a lot of attention and companionship in order to be healthy and happy – but once you are retired it is a great thing to do! A dog will be a rewarding companion and will take up a lot of your time – they also help keep you fit with those long walks, and you can help out a dog that is in a rescue centre and give them a chance of a good life with you.
Be Active – As we get older it is important to keep our bodies healthy and well and being active is something that you should do in your retirement years. With all that extra time on your hands you will find plenty of opportunities. You might want to try something new and take up a new sport such as golf, or maybe you want to join a gym. There are loads of different classes and activities available such as swimming and yoga, and exercise is also great for the mind as well as the body, as it raises the endorphins – the happy hormones – in the brain!