Ken Termini is a retired pharmaceutical executive who had the forethought to make a plan to retire at the age of 50. His reasoning was to be able to fully enjoy retirement from corporate America while pursuing his own entrepreneurial interests and recreational passions. He still finds much purpose in life by consulting with college students on how to successfully enter the workforce, coaching high school basketball, pursuing vacation rental property development, and staying physically fit by participating in open water swimming events.
As the population’s longevity continues to increase, Ken feels it is crucial to not only financially plan for retirement but to also make plans to stay active, purposeful, and content. And, as you have more time on your hands, but less discretionary spending available, it is critical to take some time to make a plan on what activities you can enjoy that will keep you from becoming bored, complacent, or lonely in retirement.
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3 Retirement Tips to Stay Active, Purposeful, and Content
Live on purpose to avoid loneliness.
“Social isolation has been noted to affect our mental, physical, and societal health. Its negative consequences are most profound among the elderly… Alarmingly, more than one in three adults aged 45 and older feel lonely in the US…”
It is true that many people face retirement with a sense of fear. What will they do with all the unstructured time and lack of interaction with colleagues? Termini believes it is imperative to make a plan on how to live a life of purpose during retirement. The best solution is to get involved with activities that align with your values, passions, or skills.
Volunteering and community involvement not only force the retiree to interact with others, but it also add meaning and purpose to one’s life. Many charitable organizations exist only because of their volunteer workforce. Consider getting involved with a local senior center, home-delivered meal services, a senior’s companion program, kinship care (caring for a grandchild while the parent works), or administrative work for any number of worthy causes.
Stay Active to Stay Healthy
“In 2019 only 23.1% of adults age 65+ met the physical activity guidelines…at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week and muscle strengthening activities on two or more days a week.”
Ken Termini has noticed that many people retire and discover they can no longer be as physically active as they were before. However, often, the lack of exercise contributes to the reduction of muscle tone, heart and lung strength, and exercise duration levels. Instead of allowing your physical strength to diminish, make and stick to plans to stay active.
Walking is one of the most overlooked exercises that almost all seniors can perform on a daily basis. But also, joining your local Y or senior center offers opportunities for swim or dance lessons, Zumba classes, yoga or Tai Chi, and strength training classes. Also, staying on top of projects at home will add to your physical fitness, including gardening, housework, washing the car, and yard work.
Staying content during retirement
“Community-based mental health studies have revealed that the point prevalence of depressive disorders in the elderly population of the world varies between 10% and 20%, depending on cultural situations.”
Contentment is defined as a state of happiness or satisfaction. Of course, no one is happy every waking moment of the day, but for retired individuals, it is critical to avoid becoming depressed or discontent for long periods of time. These conditions lead to increased isolation and open the door to a myriad of mental, emotional, and physical health challenges.
To determine if you’re living a life of contentment or satisfaction during retirement, then you should consider the entirety of your lifestyle. Are you staying active and connecting with others? Are you enjoying some of your passions or interests? Do you stay engaged with family members and friends? Do you seek out new social activities or opportunities to help others?
The key to your physical and mental well-being during retirement lies in staying socially connected, physically active, mentally stimulated, and emotionally at peace.
