Retirement: A Blessing or a Curse?

Do you have retirement phobia? It seems that many people are fearful of finally giving up the work life and adjusting to having free time and fewer commitments.

Here, you will find a discussion about retirement with tips for living a happy, productive life after you leave the workplace. You will also find a list of funny quotes about being retired.

Are you scared silly by the very thoughts of retirement? Or are you counting the days eagerly?

I am retired. I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

I retired a few years ago. I had operated a home business for ten years. My decision to retire was sudden and unplanned. I woke up one New Years Day and said to myself, I am retired! As of today. And that is what I did.I shut down most of my business operations but held onto a few things that I enjoyed doing.

And then I set about enjoying my new found freedom. I now consider this time the happiest of my life.

Here are my top three tips for enjoying retirement, even if you aren't wealthy and even if you aren't always healthy and even if you aren't safe in the arms of a large and loving family.

All Photo Credits: Microsoft Office Clip Art

Any of these books will start you off on a good road to health and well being. Exercise is absolutely crucial to maintaining or developing good health.

So, where do you stand? Is retirement a punishment forced on you by a heartless society that doesn't value seniors, or is it the opportunity to finally relax, put your feet up and enjoy a well deserved break from the rat race?

What's your Retirement Vision?

The Key to Good Health

Exercise regularly, at least five days a week.

Look for an assortment of activities that facilitate cardio health, strength and flexibility.

Aquasize classes (water fitness classes) are excellent options for seniors. The low impact does not stress the joints, but the workout provides the three levels of fitness identified above. And yes, even men to go aquasize classes!

For many types of exercise, you can work out at home using books, DVDs and videos. You could also purchase exercise equipment if budget and space permits. Alternatively, you can join classes at your local senior center, gym or recreation center. Joining classes has the added benefit of providing a much needed social structure to your daily routine.

These are the exercise activities that I pursue: aquasize classes, Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes, Pilates for Seniors and Spin Pilates for Seniors, plus unstructured activities that I do alone or with a friend. This includes swimming lanes, walking on nature trails, kayaking and making use of some of the equipment at the local gym.

Other suggestions: skiing, cross country skiing, canoeing, dancing, lawn bowling, golf, curling, paddle boarding or any other activity that you enjoy and can do safely.

No Ruts for You!

Pursue activities that exercise the mind. Learning new skills and developing new abilities will help your brain remain alert and active well into old age.

Here are some things I do:

1. Read books. I borrow from my local library, so the cost is not an issue. If you also join a book club you will add an important social aspect to the activity.

2. Attend movies and theatre productions. Take advantage of senior discounts and matinees for best prices.

3. Create mixed media art. By belonging to an online swap group, I add an important social aspect to the activity.

4. Study Spanish. I utilize a free online learning tool, accessed through my library's web site.

5. Do crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.

Other activities that may interest you:

taking a class through ElderCollege or from your local university

taking skill development classes through a seniors center or online

brushing up on your high school math and algebra

playing a musical instrument

playing bridge or other games

pursuing old hobbies or developing new ones

keeping an online blog (or making a few Squidoo lenses!).

And many more .....

The opportunities are endless. Pick some that you can do independently and some that are done in a group.

Find Fulfillment

Exercise the spirit by activities that fulfill you at a deep personal level.

And wouldn't it be wonderful if some of the exercises in Tips 1 and 2 overlapped into this category?

Here are some of the things that I do that appeal to me and help exercise my spirit.

1.Gardening and raising potted plants

2. Keeping a pet

3. Walking in nature

4. Ocean kayaking

5. Meditation

6. Energy medicine and energy healing

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Other things you might consider include participation in church or religious communities, travel, family time, volunteer work or supporting a cause that you believe in, mentoring a young person, cooking, food preparation and much more.

Keeping a sense of humour is important at any age. I hope some of these will give you a giggle.

1. Retirement at 65 is ludicrous. When I was 65, I still had pimples. George Burns
2. I don't want to. I don't have to. You can't make me. I'M RETIRED. T-shirt logo
3. Warning: Retiree. I know everything and have lots of time to tell you about it. T-shirt logo
4. Retirement is a full time job -- and you're the BOSS! Bonnie Louise Kuchler
5. Its nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to get along on less cheese. Gene Perrot
6. I'm not just retiring from the company, I'm also retiring from my stress, my commute, my alarm clock, and my iron. - Hartman Jule
7. Retirement: World's longest coffee break. – Anonymous