A word about retirement:
Don’t!
That is my word about retirement. Cut back on work. Slow your pace. Take more vacations. Volunteer more. Smell the roses. Enjoy sunsets. Do what you have always wanted to do. Except, never fully quit working and making a contribution unless or until you must.
I do not know anyone who fully thrived by quitting their occupation on an arbitrary date. Initially, many thrived in the freedom. Eventually, they came to a point where they started to fill their time with daily ritualized activity.
Often over time, a more sedentary life style sets in. Those who consume alcohol within three hours of bedtime and those who use sleep aids probably have more difficulty with this. You can induce sleep with alcohol and drugs; however, you cannot induce rest. When we do not have restful sleep, we often wake up groggy and feel less energized, less refreshed.
Have you ever noticed that the busiest people always find a way to get something done? Why? They have to rank their life, doing what is most important and dropping non essentials. When people retire, they often feel they have fewer essentials. And, the true essentials like proper eating, daily exercise and challenging mental processing, get neglected.
Entrepreneurs and business owners like to, “keep a finger in the pie.” They like to stay active and challenged. They can even make their hobbies a worthy challenge. I do not suggest that the key to a long, happy life is a tight schedule. The idea is, we all have some talents and abilities. We benefit as individuals. Our communities, states, and the world benefit by our proper contributions to society. Why pick a date or birthday to stop suddenly? If you do not like your job and can’t imagine staying on after your first eligible day to retire, consider changing jobs. Consider a part time job. If money is not a concern, consider volunteering for a group that would benefit from your particular skill sets. Purposeful activity, and having reasons to live, not just exist, are powerful elixirs for longevity.
Do you have a retirement plan that will keep both your mind and body active? Congratulations. Share your plan for success with anyone who asks. If you have always believed you’d reach age 62 and retire, ask yourself, why? And, ask yourself what will you do, after the initial euphoria of making your own schedule subsides?
Stay active. Stay involved. Stay interested in yourself and others.
Tim O’Brien writes continuing-education courses and presents seminars on stress management.
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