If we were to believe in pop culture, we’d trust that retirement is a stress-free paradise. In reality, like any of life’s major transitions, it is a mixed bag of obstacles and revelations. “Stress-free” is not a realistic appraisal of any period in our life. Someone who is about to retire may have genuine concerns about adjusting to “free time” and a loss of identity.
How do you live without the social time created at the workplace? Will you and your spouse smoothly shift into being home together all the time? What if the kids need to move back home? Then, of course, there are issues about health and money.
Health, Money, and Retirement Anxiety
Inflation, high blood pressure, debt, sedentary lifestyle — all of this and so much more can keep you tossing and turning at night. Combine them and you may start worrying about rising healthcare costs. To be clear, these are valid concerns.
To also be clear, they are concerns you can prepare for and stay on top of. You have extra time now, so why not allocate some of it to paying close attention to your financial, physical, and emotional health?
4 Tips To Prepare For Your Upcoming Retirement To Ease Your Anxiety
1. Take Responsibility For Your Physical Health
When consulting a medical professional, don’t let them categorize you by your age. To do this safely means you must commit to exercise, dietary, and self-care regimens that will keep you healthy and youthful, e.g.
Make healthy eating and drinking choices
Get yourself comfortably into steady sleep patterns
Develop relaxation techniques to control anxiety and stress
Engage in daily exercise and physical activity
Stay connected to your social circle and/or create a new social circle
When you stop working, you may initially lack structure in your life. Tending to your personal healthcare can very much help fill that void.
2. Take Responsibility For Your Financial Health
If you don’t have a lot of economic knowledge, you must a) engage in self-education and b) consult with a trusted expert. In a more general sense, get ready to embrace change. How you live and how you spend is about to change. This is a good thing as long as you change along with it. An excellent place to start is by formulating a new budget.
Another option is to consider getting a bridge job. This is typically a part-time gig in the same general field as your career. It’ll keep some extra money coming in while allowing you a slower transition into full retirement.
3. Discover New Meaning in Your Life
Embrace change and use it to learn new things about yourself. So much of most people’s lives revolve around their work schedule. What a gift to be your own nucleus! You have time now to do meaningful volunteer work, discover fun new hobbies and interests, and learn exciting new skills.
4. Reconnect With Your Spouse, Family, Friends, and More
How many times did your job get in the way of fun adventures? The answer is almost always “too many.” Retirement is when you find new ways to connect with the people in your life. This goes double for your partner. With everything else changing around you, get on board with some positive social and relationship changes.
You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
Transitions in life, by definition, are complicated and stressful. You can prepare but some aspects will take you by surprise. Working with a therapist as retirement nears is a proven path for smoothing the process and thriving along the way. Let’s connect soon to talk about what you’re going through with life transitions counseling. Click Anxiety Treatment if you’d like to read more.