Building Structure for Happiness: How to Create a Meaningful Daily Routine in Retirement
Whether you’ve just retired, or you can see your retirement life just on the horizon, you may be surprised that the initial relief of not working any more can give way to stress, anxiety and even depression. Working 40 hours a week is almost a third of your weekly waking hours (assuming you sleep eight hours a night). After you go through your “when I retire” list you may find yourself with a more pressing question: “What now?” Believe it or not, you might find yourself missing your workday routine of knowing what to do. However, it’s that very routine that holds the key to figuring out what to do after retirement.
How to Enjoy Life After Retirement
First off, having a routine doesn’t mean going back to the work schedule you had before that was often set by the demands of your job. Creating a retirement schedule is about ensuring you’re doing the things you want to do that bring meaning to your life. It’s about establishing a sequence of actions that you can regularly follow. Research has shown that having routines and schedules help people thrive and can have far-reaching psychological benefits.
The Benefits of Routines
Research shows predictable, repetitive routines are calming and can help reduce anxiety. Here are some other benefits of having a schedule:
Start on the right foot. Create a set routine like completing household chores and projects before heading out for the day and stick with it. This will keep you from wasting physical energy and brain space by just jumping from task to task.
Make better choices. It’s estimated that we make up to 35,000 decision a day which can lead to decision fatigue. As the day goes on, the less thought you put thought into each choice until you just start to go with whatever is easiest. (That’s part of why it’s easier to stick to a diet plan early in the morning and more difficult as the day progresses.) However, establishing a set routine can cut down on some of the daily decisions you have to make and help save your brainpower for bigger things.
Better sleep. Having a regular bedtime routine is key to getting a good night’s sleep. Turn off your electronic devices an hour before bed and avoid stressful evening conversations. Instead, enjoy some light reading or meditate for a few minutes. Be sure to get ready for bed well before your set bedtime so you can get to sleep on time and wake up feeling refreshed.
Do more of what you love. By having an efficient, routine schedule, you’ll leave room for activities you truly enjoy like volunteering, gardening or getting together with family and friends. You’ll even have time to try new creative endeavors like painting, writing, pottery or woodworking.
Have a sense of purpose. For many, their job is also their identity. Once you retire, who are you? A retirement routine with goals you work toward will give you a sense of accomplishment and help you feel like you’re making the most of your retirement.
Be well. Incorporating regular exercise into your schedule can help keep you active, healthy and improve your mood. Take a daily walk or a fitness class. Join a pickleball or bowling league.
Be social. It can be challenging to build new connections in your retirement years, but creating a routine that includes regular social activities can help you create new connections. Consider joining a book club, taking a class, or volunteering in your community.
How to Create and Stick to a Retirement Routine
Once you’ve built your retirement schedule, how do you stick to it?
Start small. Focus on one habit or activity before adding more. Setting small, achievable goals can help build momentum and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
Reflect and adjust. As you go along, reflect on what’s working well and what’s not and then make any needed adjustments. If an activity or habit isn’t bringing you joy or fulfillment, stop doing it. Always be on the lookout for new ways to stay active and engaged.
Consistency over perfection. Don’t worry about missing a day or slipping up on a habit. Instead, focus on being consistent with your routine over the long term.
Discover a Lifestyle Offering a Range of Possibilities
Yes, establishing a routine can feel like work, but at Lake Seminole Square we make it easy to pursue your passions with a variety of retirement activity ideas like fitness classes, happy hours, interest groups, and lifelong learning opportunities. To learn more, use our Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here.
