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If the list of activities you drew up earlier is short, consider something as simple as setting up a regular lunch date with former work colleagues, joining a reading or cinema group or participating in a walking club. Although you may want to use your increased leisure time to get on with household or garden jobs, it's a good idea to balance these activities with those that get you out of the house. Golf, bowling, amateur theatre or singing in a choir provide many retired people with an absorbing interest and that all-important social contact. Look in your local library or newspaper, talk to your friends and work colleagues, and you are bound to find something that interests you. The Internet is another excellent source of ideas for making the most of your increased leisure time. One of the most popular pursuits is tracking down distant relatives and building a family tree (if you search the Internet you will find a number of sites dedicated to genealogy). With email you can easily contact family members anywhere in the world. Retired and single?
If you are living without a partner it is particularly important to avoid becoming isolated and tied to your home once you retire. This can take considerable effort. You may want to seek a new partner with whom you can share your retirement, or you may simply want new friends and social contacts. In either case you will probably find that you are more likely to meet new people if you have an active lifestyle and pursue a variety of interests outside the home. Finding yourself alone in retirement because you have recently lost your partner can bring with it extra stress. Talk to a friend, colleague or your doctor about how you are feeling, and find out what support groups operate in your area. Are you prepared for changes in your relationships? If you have a partner you will almost certainly find that retirement brings changes to your relationship. If you retire first you will have to adjust to being the home-based partner and perhaps the one who contributes less income to the household budget. If your partner has been used to being at home alone, your presence once you retire may require some adjustment. Don't feel that you need to do absolutely everything together; there is nothing wrong with having independent interests. If you feel your relationship is becoming strained, make an effort to talk about your feelings and, if necessary, seek counseling to help get your relationship back on track. Spending more time with your family? Whether or not you have a partner, being able to spend more time with your family can be one of the most rewarding aspects of retirement.
For those with grandchildren, regular contact and watching them as they grow can be particularly satisfying. In fact, many retired people find that spending time with children and younger people helps them maintain a youthful, positive outlook on life. This does not appeal to everyone, however. Some retired people feel they have done their fair share of child rearing and would rather not be relied on as child caregivers by their extended family. If you find your children are asking too much of you in this regard, be sure to discuss it with them. Do you have an active lifestyle? Being less active as we grow older is not inevitable. Regular exercise, even if it's just a brisk walk each day, strengthens the body and helps you keep fit, while a sensible, balanced diet helps avoid poor health and weight gain. The healthier and fitter you are, the more you will get from retirement. Physical activity does not have to be intense in order to do you good. The greatest health gains actually come from doing moderately active things like walking, dancing, gardening or stretching exercises for at least 30-60 minutes a day.* Regular exercise can also help you maintain a positive outlook on life. Joining a sports club or dance class brings with it the added benefit of meeting people. Health Canada distribute a booklet titled Outlined: Health And Well-Being that has more information to help you develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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