A new lease of life...

A new lease of life, in simple words, is the time to start a new journey after retirement or disengagement. It is time to chase our dreams and passions. To a certain extent, a person can fulfil the unfulfilled desires of their life, like exploring places, enjoying social life, venturing into new hobbies and giving time to maintain good health. It's time to reflect upon the life lived so far and plan the new lease on life, as it's the inception of the best time. One should eagerly wait and prepare for this time. I want to share a few tips to enjoy the new lease on life to the fullest, keeping in mind that I should set new goals that are attainable and specific.

Good health - One of the key elements to lead a happy retired life is to engage in any form of exercise. Time must be refocused on one's health and fitness, as many years have been spent raising and working for the family; shouldering the responsibilities of family members is a priority. In the long journey of commitment towards family, health and diet certainly deteriorate. Hence, the time after retirement should be utilised to keep and improve good health. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will enable one to remain independent for longer. A healthy diet combined with proper exercise helps maintain good health, as it is vital in the golden years of life.

Science has proved that man is a social animal. Being happy with oneself or in isolation is challenging. After retirement, a social life is a must and is invaluable. A social life keeps you busy and serves as a tool to provide help as needed. It also minimises negative emotions as you are connected with friends, family and society, making your retired life more enjoyable and meaningful. With a healthy social life, one can plan weekends, travels and other activities.

One must have a planned routine; otherwise, retirement might become problematic. A regular schedule for the day will keep you from the bad habits of oversleeping, becoming addicted to mechanical devices, feeling lethargic and making excuses for not exercising. One must plan a new routine after retirement that will provide reason and motivation for enjoying life. One should be smart enough to select activities that keep one active and energised, providing a sense of satisfaction, which is very important at this point in life.

Travelling and exploring new destinations according to your budget relieves stress, enhances happiness and reduces depression. You learn the culture, food, and history of places and gain a life-enriching experience. It's one of the incredible ways to spend life.

It's your day, and there is no fixed time, as if you're working official hours at your workplace. The day is full of challenges and uncertainties. The simplest option to include in the daily routine is to pick up a new hobby. It can be learning a new language, playing an instrument, writing, painting, drawing, singing, or mingling with new people. We all had some interests that we set aside due to work commitments for years. Now is the ideal time to indulge in and fulfil those.

One of the secrets to leading a happy life is the act of giving. One has reached that age where it is time for an individual to be a helping hand for society. The happiness you gain by doing things that benefit others cannot be measured. This can take any form, whether it is complimenting someone or showing willingness to give to a good cause and donating to orphanages, old age centres, or other places. The result is the feeling of goodness, and in the end, you are contributing to a noble cause and doing something charitable at the same time.

I will be entering my second inning in a few years. It's a takeaway for those who find these tips helpful, but please try to put them into action for a purposeful life. Now, the daily schedule is in your control; try to make your dreams come true and turn them into reality. Time flies very fast, so we often take it for granted. Please don't wait until it's too late.

I want to conclude with a quote - "You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream."