Coping Skills You Need as You Reach Retirement Age
Posted on June 01, 2018 in Learning
Successful living, at any age, requires certain coping skills. As you approach retirement age, though, there are a few specific skills you need in order to cope with the changes you’ll experience upon retirement, including the ability to do all of the following, and more.
Accept Others as They Are
Upon retirement, you’ll find yourself spending a lot more time with your spouse and, in some cases, your adult children and grandchildren. While it’s not always easy to push minor irritations and perceived character flaws to the back of your mind in the hectic pace of your professional life, they become far more noticeable when you’re spending more time together.
Chances are you’re not going to change your spouse at this stage of the game and your role in your children’s life is now different than when you were raising them. You must learn to accept them as they are and love them all the more for their flaws if you want to have a peaceful and enjoyable retirement.
Derail Boredom
You may have had visions of constant cruises and one long vacation during retirement. The reality of retirement, though, is a few cruises or vacations are being punctuated by long periods of boredom and restlessness for many retirees. That doesn’t have to be your story though. Even if you’re only able to enjoy occasional vacations, you can still stave off boredom from settling in at home. These are fantastic ways to do just that.
- Take a class
- Find a hobby
- Make new social connections
- Consider a part-time job
- Start a business
- Volunteer
Taking classes fuels your intellectual fulfillment. Making new social connections offers social fulfillment. And volunteering often helps with spiritual fulfillment. It’s certainly associated with improved physical health.
According to the Campaign for National and Community Service, “Research demonstrates that volunteering leads to better health and that older volunteers are the most likely to receive physical and mental health benefits from their volunteer activities.”
Let Things Go
Once you reach retirement, life is more about prioritizing and downsizing. Not downsizing your living, but downsizing the excess. Eliminating the things that no longer add value to your life to make room for those that do. Let go of the punch bowl you haven’t used in 20 years or pass it along to someone who can enjoy using it now.
Ohio Living Breckenridge Village can help you make the adjustment to retirement living that is fulfilling and rewarding. Through purposeful programming, our mission is to help you live your best life. From making decisions about what to bring to answering questions you may have about social opportunities, Ohio Living Breckenridge Village is here to help your retirement defy stereotypes and exceed expectations.
Contact us today with any questions you have - we’d love to hear from you!