Keeping physical and mental wellbeing in retirement

While most of us dream about retiring during our working years, it is a significant life event that can be challenging to adjust to.

Many people experience a loss of identity and purpose which can trigger stress, anxiety and depression.

In this article, we discuss how to remain physically and mentally well in retirement to ensure you have the best quality of life possible.

Preparing yourself for retirement

Preparing for retirement involves more than just financial readiness, it's also about adjusting to a new lifestyle.

Here's some tips to go about this:

• Give yourself time: coping with major life changes is never easy. Allow yourself the time you need to figure everything out
• Add structure to your days: while you may not miss your morning commute to work, you may miss the daily routine of eating lunch at a certain time or chatting with colleagues during a coffee break. Try to establish a loose daily schedule to create a sense of comfort
• Stay active: engaging in activities that you enjoy and find fulfilling can help you maintain a sense of purpose. Consider volunteering, taking up a new hobby, or exploring new interests to keep yourself engaged and motivated
• Remain connected: maintaining social connections with friends and family can provide support. Consider joining social groups or clubs in your community
• Set new goals: you may have achieved many of your professional goals, but it’s important to keep setting new goals to strive towards. This can energise you and provide a sense of purpose while helping to redefine your identity
• Seek help: a therapist or counsellor can provide professional support if you need it.

Remaining physically active in retirement

Regular exercise has many health benefits including reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. 

In addition to the physical benefits, exercise is one of the best remedies for improving mental health - it stimulates endorphins which helps to reduce stress and anxiety. 

Here’s some tips on how to remain physically active.

• Make it a habit: consider setting a goal to exercise for a certain amount of time each day or week and gradually increase it over time
• Find a workout friend: a partner to exercise with can make it more enjoyable
• Choose activities you enjoy: consider trying different activities, such as swimming, golf, yoga, gardening or dancing to find what works best for you
• Stay active: consider taking regular breaks from sitting to stretch, walk, or do light exercises to stay active throughout the day.

Remaining mentally active in retirement

Staying mentally active is just as important as being physically active in retirement. 

Regularly engaging in intellectual activities can help improve cognitive function, memory, and concentration. It can also help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

More importantly, it provides a sense of fulfillment and purpose. By engaging in new experiences, you can accomplish new challenges and continue to grow as a person. 

Here’s some tips on how to remain mentally active in retirement.

• Engage in intellectual activities: challenging your brain with intellectually stimulating activities, such as reading, puzzles, or learning a new language, can help keep your mind sharp and active
• Try something new: learning a new skill or hobby keeps your brain engaged. Consider taking up painting, writing, or playing an instrument to challenge your mind in new ways
• Travel and explore: new places can provide different experiences. Visiting museums, historical sites, and cultural events can also provide mental stimulation and learning opportunities
• Volunteer: volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and help you stay engaged in your community. It’s also an opportunity to meet new people.

Bottom line: retirement can be an exciting and fulfilling phase of life if you plan and prepare well. Taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing can help you find a new sense of purpose.

Important information: This document has been prepared by IOOF Investment Management Limited (IIML) ABN 53 006 695 021, AFS Licence No. 230524 as Trustee of the IOOF Portfolio Service Superannuation Fund ABN 70 815 369 818 (Fund). IOOF Employer Super is a Division of the Fund. IIML is part of the Insignia Financial of companies, consisting of Insignia Financial Ltd ABN 49 100 103 722 and its related bodies corporate. This is general advice only and does not take into account your financial circumstances, needs and objectives. Before making any decision based on this document, you should assess your own circumstances or seek advice from a financial adviser and seek tax advice from a registered tax agent. Please obtain and consider the PDS and the Target Market Determination (TMD) both of which are available for consumers to better understand products before making any decision about whether to acquire a financial product. Information is current at the date of issue and may change.