Did you know that there are a few things all happy retirees have in common?

Now that you’re retired, you might be a bit confused at first, not having any idea what to do with all of that free time. Many people experience symptoms of doubt and sadness during the first few weeks of retirement, but that doesn’t have to be your case.

Think of this new stage of life as something you’ve always wanted to do, but didn’t have the time for. Everyone wants to be happy, but how can you make your retirement life as enjoyable as possible?

We’ve talked to a few happy retirees and found that all of them have a few things in common. They are not very hard to do and we can assure you that you’ll feel incredible once you implement these things in your day-to-day life.  With that being said, here are 7 things all happy retirees have in common.

1. They have an active life 

All happy retirees we’ve talked to told us they need to have an active lifestyle in order to feel and be their best. And they are 100% right. Several studies have discovered that working out on a daily basis is linked to reducing the risk of developing specific health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Besides that, being active helps you stay focused and energized throughout the day, can improve your mood, helps you have a better night’s sleep, improves your immune system, and helps you look absolutely amazing!

Even though you might’ve not exercised when you were younger, it’s never too late to start a routine now. You don’t have to run in the park every day to see these amazing benefits. You can simply take a walk around the park, bike alone or with someone, or even better, you can look for YouTube classes with Jane Fonda. We’re sure this woman and her workout style will bring out a lot of memories, so why not give it a try?

In addition to that, she uses both cardio and strength-based moves, so you need both of these training styles to be agile, strong, and have a lot of energy. and also be more creative.

…Do you work out or not? Tell us in the comments down below!

2. Happy retirees never stop learning

Many people say that as long as you live, you keep learning things and that’s really true. Experts say that ongoing education and always learning new things and skills can help seniors keep their minds sharp and focused by getting them in the habit of staying mentally active and effective.

In addition to that, constantly exercising your brain might help you reduce the risk of dementia and also reduce cognitive decline. You don’t have to solve a crossword every single day (however, they are really important for your mental health, so you shouldn’t neglect them), there are many other things you can add to your routine in order to become a happy retiree.

Many retirees enjoy going to museums, learning how to play an instrument, going to the library weekly to pick out a new novel, developing a new skill, taking online courses, or even taking free courses offered by top universities, such as Stanford and Yale.

…If you want to be a happy retiree, you have to work both your muscles and your brain!

3. They practice gratitude 

You might think that this is weird and dumb, but many happy retirees swear by it! There is some psychological research that suggests putting feelings of gratitude on paper is actually therapeutic on many different levels. As a result, it can improve your self-esteem, your sleep schedule, and even your heart health.

For instance, several studies have discovered that people who practice gratitude are more likely to be more positive overall, feel healthier, more confident, and more likely to help people in need.

Another interesting fact about practicing gratitude every day is that it can make you less tempted to buy things. You’ll get happier with your life just the way it is and you won’t feel the urge to buy all sorts of stuff.

…Did you know that happy retirees practice gratitude? 

4. Happy retirees are social people 

Activities or hobbies with other people can improve retirees’ lives, making them feel happier, as many studies say. After leaving the workforce, the social networks tend to minimize, making people feel more sad and hopeless. That’s why it’s important to keep up with the social interactions, even if they don’t take place physically.

Since covid-19 has entered our world, our lives have changed, and we had to find different ways to be in contact with one another. We’ve started talking more on video calls, hanging out with each other on Zoom, and so many other things.

Even though you might not chat with people face-to-face, it’s really important to socialize and not isolate yourself from the world. You might not believe it, but researchers say that a decreased level of social interaction can be just as bad for you as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary, and obesity can be.

You can join a local club in your neighborhood, go to a museum, talk to your loved ones, go to game nights, go out and have fun, or go to the cinema. These are just a few examples of things you can try to make yourself feel better and happier.

5. They are optimistic 

We know, this is easier said than done, but it’s extremely important! Having a positive attitude will help you a lot and it will surely make you a happy retiree! A few studies have discovered that people who have a glass-half-full attitude have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, among other health issues, such as heart attack.

Besides that, being optimistic can even help you live longer and have a more fulfilled life, experts say. As we all know, negativity is pretty contagious, so you have to be aware of it and try to stay away from people who are “energy vampires” and who’ve made you feel terrible after you hang out with them.

You can teach yourself how to be more optimistic by seeing every situation in a positive light. It might feel crazy and silly at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll notice how happier you get!

6. Happy retirees have a furry friend

Another thing you can do to be a happy retiree is to become the owner of a furry friend (if you’re not already). Having a pup, for instance, will improve your life in different ways: you’ll get plenty of exercise due to those daily walks, you’ll play fetch with them, you’ll have to take care of them, and so many other things.

If you’re not a dog person, you can get a cat or a bird, if you want something that is also less maintenance. Having a pup or a cat to cuddle with will make you a happy retiree, and their cuteness will definitely brighten up even the gloomiest days!

7. They have a purpose

The majority of us find our purpose through work because it motivates us to constantly improve, to become better at it faster, and to have more skills. However, many retirees feel like they have lost their purpose once they’ve left the workforce and the leisure time is not enough to fulfill them. So what can you do to feel like you have a purpose in life?

You can look for a part-time job, you can open your own business, you can teach someone young who’s at the beginning of their career how to surf through life – basically being their mentor, or you can start volunteering.

Many happy retirees have said that volunteering and making other people feel good made them feel overall better, have more confidence, and have bigger self-esteem. Moreover, these people said that they were happier helping others than they were when they bought stuff for themselves. Isn’t it amazing?

…Did you know that joining a volunteering team can make you a happy retiree?

CONCLUSION

Even though your life might feel a bit weird at first, now that you don’t have to go to work every day, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be a happy retiree! There are many things you can do, such as starting a workout routine, learning a new skill, taking an online course, traveling, or volunteering. Don’t forget to be optimistic, practice gratitude, and keep in touch with your loved ones! So what do you think? Have you packed your bags yet?

…If you want to know more secrets about retirement life and how to be a happy retiree, we recommend checking this article out: 7 Amazing Places You Should Travel to When You Retire!