| Financial management is often the focus of Over55s | | | | 3. Spirituality |
| when planning for their retirement. What is often | | | | Meditation or yoga are great stress relievers, along |
| overlooked however, is planning their lifestyle. There | | | | with keeping a journal. Getting in touch with your inner |
| are many problems that go hand in hand with | | | | self has a calming affect and quality time alone to |
| retirement and older age, and many of these can | | | | reflect is good for your soul. |
| cause stress and anxiety. | | | | Many retirees find great comfort in their church, and |
| Prevention is better than cure is an adage well applied | | | | the support of their congregation can be of great |
| to avoiding retirement stress. Here are five ways to | | | | comfort in times of ill health or bereavement. |
| get you started on the right foot. | | | | 4. Routines are Good |
| 1. Stay Fit and Healthy | | | | If you are the type of person who is planning a |
| Poor health can cause stress not only for the sufferer, | | | | retirement jam-packed with hobbies, sports and |
| but for his or her partner as well. It is only natural that | | | | activities you might find that your plans can overwhelm |
| health issues are more prevalent as we age, so | | | | you. Sometimes finding enough hours in the day to |
| making a commitment to lead a healthier life in the lead | | | | accomplish what you set yourself can have a |
| up to retirement will pay huge dividends. | | | | stressful impact. |
| Have a regular physical and take your health | | | | Without making it too rigid, some retirees find that |
| professional's advice on diet and exercise. If you are | | | | planning different activities for certain days is the best |
| carrying excess weight, this puts a strain on every | | | | way to manage this. Don't feel as though you have to |
| organ in your body, and can be the precursor to many | | | | accept every offer to play golf or cards, save time for |
| health issues. | | | | yourself (and your meditation!). |
| Increasing your level of fitness will help get the blood | | | | It can be pressure from families can cause anxiety as |
| pumping through your body, making you more vibrant | | | | well. You might love your grandchildren, but you don't |
| and alert. Clarity of thought will help you tackle | | | | have to always be available for babysitting. |
| problems rather than letting them get you down. | | | | Following a routine is also of benefit if you are caring |
| 2. Socialize | | | | for a partner or parent with early stage dementia. A |
| Think carefully before deciding to move to another | | | | routine is comforting for them and will allow them to |
| area in your retirement. Remember that you will be | | | | stay home longer. |
| leaving long time friends and possibly family behind. | | | | 5. Finances |
| However if this is what you have always wanted to | | | | Most people dream of a retirement years of financial |
| do, make a concerted effort to make new friends. | | | | security. Many would like to travel the world and |
| Make sure you keep in touch with the old ones, but join | | | | helping out with their grandchildren's education. The |
| in community activities and become a member of new | | | | reality however is that their nest egg (if it exists at all) |
| groups. | | | | is barely adequate to feed and clothe them. Forward |
| The stimulation of companionship keeps you in good | | | | planning is the key, but for those Over-55 now it may |
| spirits and eases stress. Retirement is a great | | | | be a little late. |
| opportunity to form or join a book or movie club, learn | | | | All is not lost though. With careful budgeting and |
| to play bridge or form a luncheon group. Why not | | | | learning about the resources available to you in your |
| combine our first point, and participate in an exercise | | | | community, retirees can manage well on modest |
| group. | | | | incomes. There is no rule that says you need money |
| The opportunities to socialize are limitless, depending on | | | | to have happiness. Indeed stress often comes from |
| your interests: drama groups, travel or hiking groups, | | | | wanting more that you have. If this is you, perhaps it is |
| mentoring juniors or volunteering at community | | | | time to revalue what you do have: family, health, love - |
| organizations. Get out there and into it! | | | | all of which a priceless. |