Congratulations, you're retiring! If you're asking yourself, "Now what?" know that finding the right answer to that question will help you reduce retirement stress and anxiety. Here’s how.
Looking forward to those crazy, lazy days of retirement? Or maybe not?
Retirement means a big change that involves some big decisions. Of course, all of this can lead to some level of stress. And not just with the transition — but with everything associated with retirement.
Done working
Leaving work means more than just being free of your daily commuting hassle. For some of us, it also means losing:
- a comfortable routine;
- a sense of identity and self-worth;
- important professional and social networks; or
- a big reason for getting up every day.
So if the thought of losing any of these things really bothers you, see if you can:
- make a gradual transition into full retirement;
- continue working on a part-time basis;
- start your own part-time business; or
- search "aging" in the find support section
to find retirement groups and
counselling services in your area
The money pit
Worrying about money can be a major contributor to stress. In retirement, when those regular paycheques stop, money worries can soar. So if you haven't done it yet, make a plan:
- Create a budget for everyday expenses
- Develop an overall financial plan including all of your assets, income sources and liabilities
- Evaluate the costs of your planned retirement activities
- Plan for additional extraordinary costs (like healthcare expenses that aren't covered by your provincial plan)
- Get professional help with
your financial planning
Age like a fine wine
Most of us don't get to retire when we're young. So along with the major lifestyle changes comes a bunch of aging and health issues that may cause additional stress. To help deal with these:
- Accept that you're getting older — denial will only make things more difficult for you and your friends and family
- Keep your chin up and look forward — you may have to slow down, but you don't have to stop
- Adjust your activities and schedules — to fit your new lifestyle
- Work with your healthcare provider — have regular checkups
Your happy retirement
So, now what? The answer to that question is: Whatever you want. Your greatest stress may come from doing nothing. But staying active and interested, and having a reason to get up in the morning may be your best way to prevent retirement stress. And there are plenty of things you could do:
More ways to beat stress
Even with worklife behind you, you may still need to work on reducing stress. Try one — or all — of these stress-busting tactics:
