7 Strategies for Preventing Retirement Stress

Retirement can be just as stressful as any other period in your life, in fact the effects of some of the pressures and challenges you are facing can intensify.  There are many problems inherent in retirement and old age that can cause stress and retirement requires a readjustment of your lifestyle that can also be stressful. Money worries, health problems, boredom, relationship problems, lonliness and caring for other family members, whether its grandchildren or elderly parents, are just come of the potential sources of stress that the people who attend my workshops talk about.

So what can you do about it?

1. Think about and plan for your retirement

2. Stay healthy.  Existing health issues become more frequent as you get older so it is important that you work at preventing problems. Protect your joints, eat a healthy diet, stop smoking and avoid consuming excess sugar, caffience and alcohol.

3. Maintain a social support network. Make the effort to make new friends, keep in touch will family members and join in community activities, becoming involved in the lives of others is good for you and it relieves stress.

4. Keep your finances in order. This means facing reality and learning to live within a budget. You may find living more simpley will reduce stress levels.

5. Spend time on developing your inner self.

6. Develop a daily routine.  Many people are surprised to find that they are busier than when you were working so a routine can prevent the stress of constant activity and will allow you to say no to demands that cause you anxiety.  A routine will also ease the stress of not knowing what comes next.

7. Adopt a more mindful approach to life and take the time to enjoy the pleasures of retirement. Retirement is about living the life you have now…in each moment.  It is also about living it as if it truly mattered.