Page 35 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 141
P. 35
www.sportsenergynews.com Issue 141 October 2024 35
‘Livin The Dream’ choosing what you want to learn! other aspects of health, like regular
Retirement can be an ideal time to
medical checkups, healthy eating,
explore new interests or dive deeper and adequate sleep. The healthier
are the things you’ve always wanted
into ones you already have. Consider you are, the more you’ll be able to
to do but didn’t have time for? enrolling in courses at a local
Whether it’s volunteering, pursuing enjoy your retirement years to the
college, taking up a new skill, or fullest.
a long-neglected hobby, or learning
getting certified in something you’re
something new, having a sense of passionate about. Keeping your mind While it’s tempting to see
purpose gives structure to your days retirement as the ultimate time to be
engaged is not only rewarding but
and keeps you engaged. Retirement free from schedules, having some
also beneficial for cognitive health.
doesn’t have to mean sitting idle— Technology is always changing and sort of routine is beneficial. A daily or
it can be the beginning of a new, weekly routine can provide structure
evolving. Maybe take a class to keep
purpose-driven chapter in life. and a sense of accomplishment. The
yourself up to speed! The feeling
How often have you said, or heard of learning something new can be key is to keep it flexible - unlike a work
schedule, your routine in retirement
a friend say, “When I retire, all I want invigorating and can offer a sense
By Janeen Wagemans should be adjustable to suit your
is peace and quiet and solitude?” The of accomplishment long after your
evolving interests. Maybe you start
idea of no one making demands is career ends.
hen people talk about your mornings with a walk or spend
Wretirement, the conversation alluring; yet, as hard as it is to imagine If you know retired people, you afternoons working on a passion
when you’re in the swim, one of the
often revolves around financial probably know all about their aches project. The routine gives your days a
most significant challenges retirees
planning—saving, investing, and and pains, so you already know that rhythm, but flexibility means you can
managing money to sustain your face is social isolation. Without the maintaining good physical health still indulge in spontaneity. Strike a
built-in social network that comes
lifestyle when you’re no longer is one of the best ways to ensure a balance that works for you, ensuring
with a job, it’s easy to become
working. While financial stability long and enjoyable retirement. Start you have time to enjoy life while also
is critical, it’s equally important to disconnected from others. Make it building healthy habits before you having enough structure to prevent
a point to nurture relationships and
consider the emotional, physical, retire, so they become part of your aimlessness.
and social aspects of retirement. build a strong social network. Joining routine. Engage in regular exercise,
clubs, community groups, or even We assume that retirement will be
After all, retirement is about more whether it’s walking, swimming, or
picking up group-based activities easy, but it’s more than the transition
than just stepping away from a job— participating in fitness classes. Chair
it’s about embracing a new chapter like walking groups, book clubs, or yoga? Why not! Keeping active from doing everything to doing
volunteering - even pickle ball - will nothing. It takes a bit of planning
in life. I’m well into retirement, so I helps prevent health issues and
help you stay connected. You could to ease the transition to another, and
have accumulated a bit of wisdom I keeps you energized for the activities
would’ve liked to have had going in. also use this time to reconnect with you want to pursue. Don’t neglect hopefully enjoyable, new adventure!
old friends or spend more time with
Be prepared to redefine family. Staying socially active is
yourself. Many of us define essential for mental health and well- Thom’s Trivia
ourselves by our careers. We spend being, so make social connections a Answers
decades shaping our identity around priority in your retirement plan.
our professional lives, which makes Questions on page 21
transitioning into retirement a Another hope, especially if you’d
been expected to be continually
potentially disorienting experience. 1 A - Don Silmser in the Men’s City League
“upgrading” in your work life,
To avoid feeling lost, start thinking 2 A - Technical, Finishing Room, Paper Machine, and Services
about how you want to redefine is that you won’t have to keep
up! However, consider the fun of 3 A - Ron McAllister
your purpose in retirement. What
