For a person who has lived his almost complete life in the work force, retirement can be a stressful change if not prepared.
Most people, especially when they are young, study, join the work force, whether they are employees or start their own businesses and keep busy with work and family. That is the time they look forward to retirement, imagining what they would like to do when they are retired.
However, retirement can often leave such a vacuum in their lives that they don’t know what to do with themselves. When a person is working (or out of the house) for 10 hours or more in a day and there are people who work even more retirement becomes a whole new ball game.
As long as you are keeping reasonably good health, as long as you don’t have major financial worries, here are some things you can do keep yourself busy. Being physically and mentally active means you will lead a longer and healthier life.
Do volunteer work
Volunteer work is a great way to keep in touch with people, to take you out of the house and do something useful for society. There are many organizations which accept volunteers. You can work for charities, hospitals, homes, with children, in soup kitchens or in church.
Learn
Join some classes whether it is cooking or dance or anything else. Learn a new language. Get a post-graduate degree imagine studying just for the fun of it and not because you have to. You can also do a host of online courses, but it makes sense to go out and meet some people.
You can also join a gym or exercise class or take up a sport like golf or swimming on a regular basis whatever you are comfortable with or you want to do.
Teach
If you have knowledge of a particular field then teach. You can teach students or adults, you can hold classes or workshops or seminars or even become a speaker or mentor. In some cases, you may even get paid for your work.
Consult
An expert can always start his or her own consultancy. Consultants can also make a great deal of money, but if you don’t need the money, you can consult for free. There are many charitable organizations which require the services of doctors, lawyers, accountants and teachers. There is always a shortage of people to do routine clerical and administrative work. Cooks are also useful everywhere.
Travel
Go and visit all the countries you always wanted to. There are lots of travel deals for people who want to travel on the cheap, particularly if you go off season. You can even travel in your own country and see the places you’ve never seen.
Even in your own city or location, you can go see plays, movies, opera, museums, go to the flea markets, and take an interest in antiques and more.
Take up a hobby
It is never too late to take up a hobby, be it painting or woodworking, playing the piano or doing gardening. You can even start blogging as a hobby. If you like reading, make it a point of going to the library or take your book to the park, so that you are not cooped up at home.
Connect with your family
Spend some time with your grandkids, if they are interested. Have them over on weekends or go over and meet them if convenient. This will give you something to look forward to. Or make meeting the entire family once a month or once a week a ritual, even if you have to take them out for a meal. Organize reunions with extended family members.
Remember to do stuff outside the house and also cultivate a social circle it is never too late to make friends.
