Avoiding Stress in Retirement

Surveys have shown that people who have less than 18 months to retirement admit they feel stressed and even depressed at the prospect. Many admit to feeling apprehensive about their future, and almost one-third said they were anxious.

Financial pressures factor heavily in creating retirement stress, and many Over55s who would like to work part time as a lead up to early retirement find employment prospects bleak. After being contributor's to their nation's economy and their company for many years they become despondent a feel they are relegated to the scrap-heap.

Relationship pressures also come to the fore in the early retirement phase. Couples have been used to leading somewhat separate lives while one or both has been at work. They have their own daily routines, social groups and sporting pursuits. They feel that this freedom is compromised by having their partner 'around' and may feel guilty going out alone.

On the upside however the majority agree that having a better social life and more time with their families were retirement highlights.

Planning for retirement is a lot more than ensuring you have the finances to carry you through. If your whole life has been devoted to work and family, when you retire you may suddenly find that you have a lot of free hours to fill, and it at this point that depression can first appear.

If you have not been able to acquire or maintain any hobbies in your adult life, as you approach retirement is probably a good time to look about and see what might be of interest. You may have always wanted to learn to play golf or tennis - now is your opportunity. As a child you may have loved woodwork, perhaps its time you took some adult classes to see if this interest can be rekindled?

The best thing about sport and hobbies is that they are great stress relievers. They present new opportunities to meet people and enrich your lifestyle.

Staying healthy is one of the key ingredients to a stress-free retirement. There is nothing more concerning than poor health and the worry that it causes can have a severe impact on your quality of life. Eat well, drink lots of water, minimize your consumption of sugar, fats and caffeine.

Start each day with a long leisurely walk - and if you have a partner, why not hold their hand as you go?

Kerry Anne Finch is an accomplished marketer, with proven successes in corporate and NFP PR, event management and hugely successful product launch programs.

Kerry has founded a new website Over55s specifically for the Baby Boomer/55+ age group, with features that include Travel, Hobbies, Health and Sport (http://www.over55s.com). Contributions from members are not only welcome, but are encouraged.

Currently Kerry divides her time between launching and managing her new website, her internet writing business, and gathering material through her role as an international tour director.

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