Top 10 Tips to Create a Happy Life

Congratulations! You’ve finally had that first glorious day of retirement: no alarm to answer to, no reason to rush through breakfast and get out the door. All you need to do is exactly what you want. 

If you’re like most retirees, however, this is more easily said than done. 

Retirement is an adjustment, and it can be tough to figure out where to start when it comes to creating the happy retirement you’ve been looking forward to. Here, we’ll take a look at 10 ways you can set yourself up for a happy, healthy, fulfilling retirement. 

1. Connect with friends and family.

Now that you finally have the time, developing closer relationships with friends and family can be a great way to build your social circle and spend time with those closest to your heart. Visiting friends and family that live far away, taking the time to check in with grandkids, and even entertaining friends and family who live nearby can all be great ways to stay connected with the people who matter most. 

Staying social isn’t just important for your mind – it’s important for your physical health as well. According to a recent article in Forbes, social isolation poses a physical health risk comparable to that of smoking 15 cigarettes each day. People who don’t maintain social connections have a greater likelihood of high blood pressure, stroke, dementia, and coronary disease. If you got most of your socialization opportunities through your workplace prior to retirement, it’s important that you find new ways to connect with others. 

2. Keep it moving (even if hitting the gym isn’t your thing). 

Whether you spent most of your working hours sitting at your desk or you were on the go, it’s important that you create a routine that allows you to stay physically active in your retirement. If you already enjoy exercising, continuing with your normal routine can help keep you active from day to day. If you don’t already have an exercise routine, there’s no reason that you need to start training for a marathon (unless that’s your thing). 

There are plenty of ways that you can work to sneak more physical activity into your day, including: 

• Find a local walking or hiking trail to enjoy a few times each week. 
• Try swimming or water aerobics for a challenging workout that’s easy on the joints. 
• Beautify your space (and get a great workout) by gardening and doing yard work. 
• Connect with a friend and get some extra steps by scheduling catch-up walks a few days each week. 

3. Develop a routine.

While it can be tempting to do whatever you want, whenever you feel like it, most retirees find that it’s actually helpful to stick to a daily routine. There’s no need to stick to the same schedule you had when you were working, and if you prefer to wake up without an alarm, no problem. Simply having a list of activities to complete as you move through each day can help you save time, money, and maintain a sense of organization as you adjust to life without work. 

4. Find your new purpose. 

Finding a meaningful way to contribute to a community is key to enjoying retirement for many people. There’s no one way to give back. Volunteering at your house or worship, babysitting your grandchildren, or working with a charity that’s close to your heart can all provide you with a sense of purpose in your retirement. 

5. Consider travel. 

It may have felt nearly impossible to travel while you were working. The freedom offered by retirement can make travel a new and exciting possibility. There’s no wrong way to see the country (or the world). Whether you’d like to save up for a transatlantic cruise or you’d rather make shorter day or weekend trips to places you’ve always wanted to visit, this is your time to explore.

6. Think about getting a pet. 

Many people find an increased sense of purpose by adopting a pet in retirement. If you’re physically comfortable going for walks several times each day, adopting a dog can be a fun way to stay active in your community and take care of an animal who needs your help. If you aren’t able to be as physically active as necessary for a dog, adopting a cat or other animal can be a great way to enjoy companionship.

7. Understand your finances. 

If you haven’t already done so, it’s smart to make an appointment with a financial planner to discuss your retirement cash flow. They’ll be able to help you understand how much you should plan to spend each month, and how much you can set aside for travel, gifts, home upgrades, and more. 

8. Exercise your mind.

Now that you aren’t bogged down with the tedious day-to-day tasks of your job, it’s important to find new ways to keep your mind engaged, challenged, and healthy. 

According to Dr. Jessica Caldwell of the Cleveland Clinic, it’s key to create opportunities to keep your mind working during retirement. “When we retire, we often lose a lot of intellectual engagement we got from our job,” says Dr. Caldwell. “Without that, we’re not optimizing our brain health for life.”

Learning a new sport or skill, delving into a new literary genre, and completing puzzles that you enjoy can all help your mind stay sharp during retirement.

9. Understand that ups and downs are normal. 

Your job provided a sense of familiarity from day to day, and easing into retirement is an adjustment (no matter how excited you are about this new stage in your life). Remember that it takes time to adjust to change, even when the change is positive. If you’re struggling with your mental health after retiring, you’re not alone. Working with a licensed counselor can help you develop the strategies necessary to fully enjoy your retirement. 

10. Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself – this is your time!

Want to become a travel buff? Want to give your buddies a run for their money on the golf course? Curious about whether you have what it takes to nail a professional pastry chef class? Go for it! Your retirement is the perfect time to explore your interests and passions.