After the stress of building a career and raising children, it appears that happiness for most people begins to increase around the age of 65. And we continue to be happy until we reach our peak around the age of 85.
Want to do a little extra to make sure you’re in a happy retirement? Try these amazing tips:
1. Think about your death
Yes, you read it correctly.
Recent articles about Psychological Science Association website He insisted that thinking about your death can make you happy. The idea is to approach your daily choices, as if this year was your last. Research shows that helping you prioritize time to use death actually improves your satisfaction with your choices and overall well-being.
And if you are worried that thinking about death is too pathological, researchers have discovered that you can reflect on mortality rates It actually makes you interesting.
2. Guaranteed retirement benefits
According to Tower Watson Resignation SurveyBy earning a guaranteed, predictable income upon retirement, you can greatly improve your happiness by reducing financial stress. Research shows that retirees with consistent and reliable incomes feel safer and more uneasy about their finances. Researchers also found that retirees who have to withdraw money from their investments to pay for retirement costs have the highest financial insecurity.
Sources of retirement income include Social Security, pensions, or lifetime pensions. Additionally, other forms of stable cash flow, such as rental income and dividend payout investments, can help provide peace of mind.
By ensuring your expenses are covered by reliable income, you can focus more on enjoying retirement without fear of market fluctuations.
3. work
Continuing your work can increase your happiness and happiness when you retire, even if you are part-time.
Research shows that maintaining activity in the workforce provides intellectual and social stimuli and helps retirees stay vibrant. It also provides a sense of purpose and reduces financial stress. It also promotes better health. The Journal of Acupational Health Psychology found that part-time retirees were less sick than retirees who had no work at all.
However, it is important to work with choices rather than mandatory. Financial stress from necessity of the workplace can offset these positive effects, so if the job is voluntary, you are much more likely to increase your overall well-being and health. .
4. Don’t stick to your home for a long time
Michael Finke, a certified financial planner at Texas Tech and professor of personal finance planning, has looked into the satisfaction level that people come from owning homes. He discovered, overall, that owning a home brings more joy than rental. However, homeowners have declined later in life, especially as they entered the ’80s.
That makes sense. Maintenance of the house is a tough job, and the type of house we want in our 40s is unlike the house we need in the 60s, and perhaps very different to what we need in the 80s and what we need. .
There are two benefits to selling a home when you retire. It may make us happy and we can use home equity to help with retirement costs. Home equity is the greatest source of wealth for most Americans.
Use the Boldin Retirement Planner to see how downsizing in the 70s or 80s impacts retirement finances.
5. Turn off the TV
Resignation generally means you have more free time. Watching TV is an attractive and easy way to fill that time. However, research has found that more people watching TV are less happy than people who generally watch.
Researchers at the University of Maryland analyzed responses from 45,000 Americans about people’s daily activities. Research author John Robinson said New York Times It says, “We saw 8-10 activities that happy people engage in. For each, people who did more activities – visit others, go to church, all of them It made me happy. Television was one activity that showed negative relationships. The unhappy people did it more, and the happy people didn’t reduce it.”
6. Be respectful
I’m looking for it a respect– Experiences that evoke strange sensations, such as breathtaking natural perspectives and inspiring artworks – Promoting a sense of mindfulness, emotional happiness, and connection with things greater than you And as you get older, you can improve your happiness. These moments of adoration can reduce stress, boost mood and even increase physical health by reducing inflammation and improving immune function. A respectfulness helps shift focus from everyday worry to the present moment, creating lasting joy and fulfillment.
7. Engage in new experiences
An innovative and unusual experience It stimulates the brain and keeps it involved, preventing stagnation. As we age, getting out of our comfort zone and trying new things promotes mental agility, raises dopamine levels and improves mood. You can learn new skills, engage in fresh activities, increase confidence, provide a sense of accomplishment, and promote social connection. All of these contribute to greater happiness. These experiences help to create a more exciting and fulfilling life and reduce feelings of monotony and isolation.
8. Invest in relationships
Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Research of Happiness Findings from the longest scientific research conducted on happiness to date. The research project began in 1938 with the aim of examining what people thrive and how they can achieve happiness.
And what do you say about this huge amount of research? The stronger our relationships, the more likely we are to live a happy, satisfying, and overall healthy life.
Waldinger said NPR Data shows that if we can change one thing to make people happier and healthier in their lives, it will improve their relationship. He said, “They should invest in relationships with other people. We are the most powerful predictions of who not only remained happy, but also those who were healthy when they went through life. It turns out to be a factor. The strongest predictor was the warmth and quality of our relationship with other people.”
It doesn’t matter if it’s a family member, a colleague, or a morning coffee barista. There are great benefits to investing in any relationship. Relationships need to protect us from stress and consciously prioritize connections with others. You exercise. You eat right. And Waldinger and Schulz argue that every day they need to focus on being good friends and acquaintances.
And even if you haven’t always put time and effort into your relationship, don’t worry, researchers say it’s not too late and you can take action as quickly as it is now. Call or text people you miss, make eye contact at the grocery store, and plan social activities around enjoying yourself. Just connect.
clock Dr. Waldinger’s Ted Talk About Harvard University research. This is one of the most viewed TED talks to date.
9. Maintain health
The Merril Lynch Age Wave Survey has discovered that health is more of a crucial element to a happy retirement than it is financially safe.
Answer the questions and what are the most important factors for a happy retirement, this is how people answered.
- 81% said they were healthy
- 58% believed they were financially safe
- 36% said they loved their family and friends
- 20% voted for purpose
- Only 5% suggested trying something new
10. Be curious and live a rich inner life
Intellectual curiosity and passion for learning can provide lasting fulfillment as physical abilities can decline with age. Engaging in intellectual pursuits such as reading, problem solving, and exploring new ideas can help you stay sharp and provide a sense of purpose.
These activities develop a deep sense of self-satisfaction and allow you to find meaning in your life beyond physical limitations. The joys of discovery and personal growth become more and more rewarding, providing lasting happiness and resilience even when physical strength disappears.
11. I’m looking for meaning
Looking for meaning is important to your happiness as you age. Because it gives life purpose and a sense of fulfillment. As we age, external markers of success (such as career achievements and material wealth) often become less important, and the focus shifts towards internal satisfaction. Finding meaning through relationships, personal growth, giving back to our community and pursuing passion can help us maintain vitality and happiness.
Having a sense of purpose can improve mental and emotional health and also provide buffering for quarantine and depression emotions. People with meaningful goals can promote resilience as they tend to stay more enthusiastic, proactive and proactive, regardless of the challenges they may face. Ultimately, seeking meaning as you age will help you create a life that is rich, rewarding and connected to something bigger than you.
12. Express your gratitude
Expression Thanks As you get older, it is essential to happiness. Because it changes focus from what is lacking in the positive things in your life. Regular gratitude can increase feelings of joy, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional well-being. It enhances relationships, develops a sense of community, and promotes resilience in the face of challenges. By acknowledging and evaluating goodness, you can experience deeper satisfaction and a more optimistic outlook for life.
13. Play
Do you think the game is just for kids? Think again!
participate Playful activities It reduces stress, promotes social connection and creativity at all ages.
Play stimulates the brain, keeps the brain active and promotes positive emotions. Even later years, play through games, humor, or easygoing activities to change your mood, boost your mental health and improve your overall well-being. It provides a sense of joy and freedom and helps you maintain a youthful outlook and adaptability as you age.
