For many people I know Retirement is a challenge. Most of them have been asked to retire at say 58 or 60, they did not retire because they had something to do. Tough indeed. Typical a ‘push retirement’ and not a “pull retirement”. One of the persons I know was sitting at home at watching TV for about 4 hours a day. Not a great thing to do I guess. He died at the age of 68 – I guess boredom got him! Women handle retirement from a job much much better. They were earlier handling the house and the office. The house work still stays and they take up cooking, socialising, or some hobby with a great gusto. Men (I mean most Indian men) don’t always handle retirement so well.

What are the things that you can do to make retirement better?

1. Have a hobby – when you are in your 40s or at least in your 50s. Having a hobby like photography, painting, travel, playing indoor or outdoor games,…could be anything that you really care about.
2. Create a same age ‘group’- typically your classmates from school, college, etc. They all would be your age and would be going through the same thoughts, pains, troubles, fun. This could be your “go to” group – for travel, parties, picnics, singing sessions – whatever you fancy. You could slowly induct people of different ages too, but remember the core reason why the group was formed. You could be busy travelling, attending weddings, attending other social functions,…etc.
3. Create a same ‘hobby’ group: whatever is your hobby – running, cycling, mountaineering, hiking – you can create or join a group that suits your taste. Here you will find people of different age categories, and that can be lovely. I am part of a running group with 4k members. This means I still get invited to marriages of “friends” – not just friend’s kids – as my friends get invited. This is also a great opportunity to be a senior counsellor – for marriage, career, etc. and these kids are far more comfortable seeking your advice than a pro! Another advantage is that they do not see you as a ‘competitor’ which means the communication becomes easy.
4. Be active – retiring should not mean sitting in one place and watching television. Move about, join a gym, take up at least one activity which keeps you busy for an hour a day. I recently saw a 72 year old who plays one hour of Table Tennis a day and also does one hour of Gym. Surely keeps him fitter than his younger brothers who are far more sedentary. I know one 84 year old who travels by public transport – shows his confidence in his ability to climb stairs, take a train, buy a ticket. I have met a 86 year old who shops – for veggies, groceries, etc. This means his math, reaction time, etc. are being used on a daily basis. Dementia be damned.
5. Give back to society: teaching is one of the best things that you can do. I know one scientist who spends 4 hours a day in the temple (sitting cross legged) teaching Veda recitation to the kids (and adults) who come regularly. You can teach swimming, math, science, English language, Hindi….whatever. Skype is easy to learn and technology helps you reach every corner of the world. Do a skype session with say an orphanage. If they don’t have the equipment, I am sure you could organize it for them..
6. Try maintaining a routine – it helps – of course you can break it once in a while, but it helps to know that at 7am you are going for a spinning session and for a swim at 5pm. Whatever is your routine – games, temple, walk, run, jog, cycling, badminton…does not matter, but build it. Cutting vegetables is another useful activity – keeps eye hand coordination intact for a  longer period. Try brushing your teeth using your left hand…
7. Try writing a diary/blog: you may just discover that you can write!
8. Look after your health and wealth with equal zeal….