Retirement is another phase in life!

The period after retirement from work is supposed to be a wonderful time to spend quality time with family and pursue one’s dreams which could not be fulfilled due to either work-related pressures or time constraints. Definitely, it is the time to do what makes one happy!

However, let me first say at the outset that the description “I am retired” should not be used as a label to introduce someone as it is not his or her identity. A person’s outlook on life influences how well he or she handles the transition from work to retirement!

For me, it is another phase in my life. I consider it as a transition from one phase to another! After all they are “golden years”! The more resilient one is, the better he is able to cope with challenges like retirement.

Time after retirement provides an opportunity to live a stress-free life as a person looks forward to a new period filled with choices to reinvent life to his or her own liking. It is the time one bids farewell to the frenetic work pace and embraces the new journey.

There was no dearth of advice when retirement day finally arrived for me at the age of 60. My doctors, family members, and many friends were concerned about life after my professional life. The pieces of advice ranged from “It’s time to relax as you have worked a lot” to “It’s better you keep yourself fully occupied”.

True, for those who have not cultivated any interest beyond their work, the transition becomes painful leading to stress and other health-related issues. So it is imperative that we develop varied interests as suggested by experts.

Keeping ourselves fully engaged not only makes us mentally agile but also improves our well-being! Research reveals that in addition to participating in engaging activities, certain lifestyle changes or adaptations can support cognitive health as we age as well, such as prioritising sleep, relationships and exercise.

On the other hand, the failure to manage free time often can, as medical research suggests, lead to medical issues like depression, insomnia, emptiness, etc. This is further compounded when we cannot fall back on the support system that we had at the workplace!

Keeping us idle can often be like inviting our own death knell. As we all know, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. We should not ignore the fact that this phase of life can be a great opportunity and we should use it to enrich ourselves and expand to others.

There are so many things where we can engage ourselves. We can plan our daily activities with a morning walk, yoga, cycling, or other exercises, in addition to many activities at home.

Being a grandparent, I try to spend time with my two grandkids in addition to my regular habit of reading and writing. I love to see the two little angels coming home and spending time with them.

From the general silliness to the extra source of love, this bond is special and unbreakable. It’s a relationship based on love, appreciation, fun, and pure joy. We teach each other things. The learning goes both ways!

Studies have consistently shown there are positive health benefits from time spent with grandchildren. In addition to good old-fashioned fun and enjoyment, grandparents may gain an improvement in physical, mental, and emotional health!