Retirement is considered the golden phase of life. It marks the end of one’s professional career and signals the start of leisure time. Although it sounds like a breeze, the sudden transition from a routine that you have followed for years, to a laid-back life can be more anxiety-inducing than relaxing in nature. One of the best ways to ease into this transition is to start an encore career which gives you a new routine to follow and makes the whole process less overwhelming. It helps you be active and make the most out of your retirement.
This article will give you insights into 5 smart ways to stay active and engaged after retirement.
- Explore your hobbies
Retirement is the time when you can spend time exploring your hobbies and interests which you did not have time for before. This is the time to travel the world and indulge yourself. This is your chance to explore hidden talents and feel a sense of achievement and pride at the number of things you can pursue regardless of your age.
- Keep Learning
Learning should never stop. Studies show that lifelong learning improves the health and function of the brain. It reduces the risk of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s and leads to better cognitive function and longer attention span1. With the advancement in technology, you can now learn anything sitting anywhere in the world, with just your mobile phone or laptop. This will keep you intellectually stimulated and challenge you at every step. This can include learning a new language to upskilling in your area of expertise.
- Give back to society
After working tirelessly for more than two decades, to support your family and build respect and reputation in society, now is the time when you can take a step back. Retirement is the time when you can give back to society with the depth of knowledge and skills you have accumulated over time. Apart from keeping you active, this will also bring you immense peace and satisfaction.
- Networking and socialising
Not enough importance is given to the interpersonal interactions we have daily. When you are working full-time, you are in constant touch with colleagues, clients, vendors, etc. and this stops abruptly when you retire. This sudden change can bring about anxiety and loneliness in seniors and can also lead to depression if not identified and treated in time. Networking and socialising, both personally and professionally will help you be tethered to the outside world, and keep loneliness at bay. It will also give you a chance to learn from people and their perspectives and grow.
- Build an Encore Career
One of the best ways to stay active is to get a job after retirement and start an encore career. This will not only help you get back a routine, but also tackle loneliness, and anxiety, and help you stay mentally and physically active. This will give you something to look forward to everyday.
Additionally, in the current economy and job market, organisations are always on the lookout to hire senior consultants who have the depth of knowledge and experience that retirees such as yourselves have.
WisdomCircle is one of the best job portals that helps retirees get jobs after retirement in India. They have opportunities across sectors and industries, ranging from large corporations to startups and NGOs. Their goal is to make retirement a choice for people and help reduce cognitive decline by keeping retirees intellectually engaged and active.
Conclusion:
Retirement marks a new chapter in one’s life, filled with possibilities and opportunities. Adjusting and navigating it can be tough in the beginning, but keeping yourself active and engaged is key to leading a happy and fulfilling retirement. By incorporating the above-mentioned strategies into your daily life, you can unlock the full potential of retirement and live these golden years to the fullest.
