Friday, January 22, 2016

New Information on Retirement


This morning I caught a headline about a new book on retirement specifically for men, called “Ready for Retirement” by Lyndsey Green.  I haven’t read the book so cannot comment on the content but since there are few books on the subject it may be worthwhile to pick this one up.  In the article she mentioned that many couples do not discuss their retirement dreams and so they end up having very different ideas about what they will do during their retirement years.  It is so ironic that we live in an age of communication with every possible device to communicate but old fashioned talking seems to be “out”.
I’ve included 2 links, one Canadian and one American with some useful information that should cheer you up on the numbers game.  Beyond financial information there is a really scarcity on the other 5 aspects of the retirement pie (Financial, Physical, Social, Spiritual, Mental and Activities) other than broad suggestions on looking at these areas.
With respect to physical and mental activity I think I will leave it simply with common sense suggestion to check in with your doctor before engaging in strenuous exercise; beyond that physical activity is a must at least 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes.  Simply walking is good enough but when you are retired you have enough time that you can incorporate several sessions of exercise within the day.  For example you could walk 30 minutes both morning and evening as well as include 30 minutes of yoga, Pilates or swimming.  All are very low cost activities.  With regard to mental activity, reading and crossword puzzles are cheap and easy although they are rather passive and will not necessarily stimulate your mind as much as learning something new.  So if you enjoy reading and courses are not for you the next best thing is to read to study something new.
I’ve also written in the past about the spiritual piece of the pie.  Spirituality can mean your participation in your religion but if you are not religious you still need to address your inner peace of mind, if you will.  Anywhere from beginners using 10 minutes of solitude to do a “check in” which can expand to a genuine meditation that can start with 10 minutes and grow up to 60 or 90 minutes, depending on how much you enjoy it and the time you have to “spare”. 
More importantly I would like to discuss Social and Activities today.
I have noticed, just as the article below mentions, that I am frequently alone because my peers are still working.  I have made a determined effort to stay social not just via social media but by picking up the phone and talking to friends as well as making social commitments regularly.  By regularly I mean a minimum of once every two weeks but frequently it is weekly.  But wait, I will not go “check” of the checklist quite so easily.  There came a time when I realize that I am doing 100% of the running in the social schedule and I found myself getting a little depressed.  Happily I have found a solution out of that mini crisis by discovering a little book at Costco called “Jumpstart Improving Your Mind” for a mere $6.99.  It’s a 90 day series of articles and exercises to encourage a positive mindset which focuses on removing negative feelings.  I highly recommend it.
Volunteering combines both social stimuli as well as keeping active.  There is a wide range of volunteer positions available so I won’t talk too much about that.  Many activities can include your physical activity such as golfing, hiking, skiing and so forth.  There are all kinds of clubs available from camera clubs to target shooting so it’s simply a matter of searching out the one that interests you most.  You are only limited by your own imagination and perhaps your physical limitations.
But take heed, start planning sooner rather than later, particularly if you are in a relationship.  It is very important to have similar goals and interests or at least a strategy to keep out of each other’s hair so your relationship will survive so much togetherness!  Happy planning, folks!



 

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