FEELING GREAT: Being ready for retirement – and filling in that extra time

Let’s talk about the dangers of being inactive. I may be wrong, but I think many people fail to prepare for what could be the single most inactive period of their life – retirement.
Most people only ever consider the financial aspect of retirement, they fail to consider the other big, important part - what to do with the gaping time hole it creates?Most people only ever consider the financial aspect of retirement, they fail to consider the other big, important part - what to do with the gaping time hole it creates?
Most people only ever consider the financial aspect of retirement, they fail to consider the other big, important part - what to do with the gaping time hole it creates?

If you’re in your 50s, it’s highly likely that you’ve thought about what to do in your retirement, maybe even dreamed about it. But here’s the problem: most people only ever consider the financial side. They fail to consider the other big, important aspect – what to do with the time hole it creates?

So how do you go about filling the huge void every day of every week when your working day is history?

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Start by considering how you feel about taking a break and going on holiday. Most people love the thought of having two whole weeks to do nothing, but then, about 10 days in, they start to think about getting back home and returning to their routine. Doing nothing all day but lie on a beach isn’t always as exciting as it seems. Many get to a point well before the 14 days of their holiday are up when they want to get home.

Your home routine is appealing because you don’t have to think about what you’re going to do to fill your day. It’s happening because doing nothing other than sleeping, eating and drinking doesn’t always make you feel as great as you thought. Somehow, the routine that you were so keen to get away from is the very thing you crave by the end.

Have you ever noticed after your holiday how long it takes to switch your brain back on at work and be able to do things as easy and as effortlessly as you could pre-holiday? And your exercise habits are affected too. Getting back into these after a holiday often takes time. It’s not uncommon for three or four months of healthy exercise habits in the build-up to a holiday to be lost when you return.

So, what has this got to do with your retirement? Well if 14 days is too long a time to do nothing, what will it be like with the 20 or more years of inactivity coming your way? How will you cope when you’ve got all that time on your hands?

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For more tips and advice, get in touch for a FREE copy of my book The Healthy Habit. I have three available to the first readers to get in touch. It is essential reading for people aged 50+, and for anyone that would like to improve their healthy habits. Call 01429 866771 or visit paulgoughphysio.com