Are you retired and unhappy? Were you looking forward to retirement? Retirement is a novel phase in life where you are faced with endless possibilities and time. It also brings forth the lack of structure and purpose of life. This is a difficult phase to navigate after long-term employment. It can be either a welcome break or a sudden shift from routine life. Nevertheless, finding happiness in retirmenet is achievable.

  Retirement is often treated as a reward for all our hardwork. However, it may not be the ideal time we have imagined. Retirement comes with its own set of emotions. Sense of losing purpose and structure are a part of retirement. Some people enter into retirement feeling unsure. It often feels like they are losing a part of themselves. Whereas, others feel excitement and a sense of relief. Nevertheless, everyone at some point in retirement may feel unhappy and empty. However, finding happiness after retirement is not impossible. So how does happiness increase in retirement? It is possible to achieve happiness through planning. You can plan different aspect of your retirement beforehand. Learn about the phases of retirement to be in control. Another important factor is living positively. A positive mindset increases happiness. You can be happy in retirement as you find a new purpose. Giving back to the community is a good way to feel important.

Plan Your Finances

It is a good practice to enter into retirement with a clear financial goals. You can start by setting up a retirement fund. Stable finances are one of the key ingredients for a happy retirement. It is important to budget your expenses to ensure confortability and happiness. It is also important to remain mindful of overhead spending and unexpected expenses, particularly for health, inflation costs, etc.

Follow a Healthy Lifestyle

Studies show the correlation between contentment and health in retirement. Staying physically fit and a healthy diet contributes largely to the happiness of a person. Exercise activates the feel good hormones in our brain. Exercise also reduces the risk for age-related illness. You can only truly enjoy your retirement if you are a healthy individual.

Develop a Routine

People are used to follow a routine before retirement. Unlimited free time and lack of structure can seem too hard to overcome. However, building a routine around your new life is helpful for the transition. Planning your day has never been more important. A flexible yet well-grounded schedule helps you navigate through different activities in the day. It is also crucial for sleep, good health and mental wellbeing.

Find a Sense of Purpose

Employment helps one feel needed and able to make a change. During retirement, you may begin feeling lonely, empty and disconnected from others and life. The modern concept of retirement encourages retirees to explore their own untapped potentials. Building a new sense of purpose is important to being happy. It also increases the longevity of life. Finding new interests or rekindling old passions can help you find yourself. You can also learn new skills for self improvement here. Giving back to community is also a good way to feel happy. Giving back boosts the ‘happy’ chemicals in your brain. Therefore, you feel purposeful when helping more people. You can volunteer your time or skills for a community ptoject

Forge Connections

Our interactions at the workplace often substitute our social connections in life. After retirement, you may be able to not connect with your friends as often. It is healthy to share feelings by staying socially active. Positive expression reduces stress and create a sense of togetherness with others. Social activities introduce you to new people with similar interests. You can visit the local park, library or clubs.

Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is important for good health and wellness. Being grateful makes one feel positive for the future. It also promotes a simpler, happier way of living. Therefore, gratitude helps us to live within our means with satisfaction. You can practice gratitude by writing down things you are grateful for. Finding happiness after retirement is possible after all. Planning before or early on in retirement helps to set this phase in focus. It is important to manage your expectations during this transition. It also helps to improve your satisfaction with life.