Tips to a Happy Retirement

Young people do not worry about getting old. And when they do reach that golden age, they wish they had. Because in retirement, you need everything to be just right to enjoy the remaining years. But fear not. No matter how old you are, there is still time.

These are three ways to make retirement the best, most gratifying experience in your life.

Early Detection and Prevention

Almost six million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s. One out of every ten people 65 years or older is currently living with this disease.

Alzheimer’s is an unpredictable illness, and there is no guarantee that you or a loved one will not get it. The medical community has yet to determine definitively its exact trigger. They also have yet to figure out how the condition affects one person differently from another.

But you can take certain measures to improve your chances. If you have ever visited aged care homes, you have probably seen a clear distinction between people suffering from mental illnesses and those who are not. Even though superior centers provide exceptional mental care services to ensure the quality of life of older adults, this is not what you should aim for.

Instead, you should do what you can while you still can engage in it. You should take care of your physical and mental health while you’re young. You should visit the doctor regularly despite not being sick.

By taking preventive action, you could ensure that your later years are as good as your current ones. It may even be better.

Taking Care of Your Finances

Studies show that, ideally, you will have saved two times your current annual salary by the time you are 40 years old. It is not a rule set in stone. Some people can retire with much less whereas others need a substantially higher amount. It often depends on how healthy you are by the time you reach the third and final part of your life.

Where you live is also important. If you call Switzerland your home, your lifestyle will be very different from a person living on a small island in Thailand.

Still, it serves as a good guideline not only on the necessity of financial security, but it’s also about the importance of starting your savings plan early.

All of us have expenses in life. Most of us want to buy a car and a house. We also need to provide for ourselves, our families, and the education of our children. And we want a little left to enjoy every once in a while, to go on vacation or take a few days off.

But we can still save. We can still create a plan and follow it. The key is not focusing on the amount, but rather on the routine. If we make a conscious effort to save at least some money every month, soon it will become a habit, and we will start doing it automatically.

Embracing the Inevitable

“Senescence” is the gradual deterioration of functional characteristics. A simple example is the wrinkles on the forehead as you get older. The skin is not as flexible as it used to be, and the cell regeneration process is slowing down. Another one would be a dog that can’t run as fast or bark as loud as it once did.

The Turritopsisdohrnii, or “immortal jellyfish,” is not subject to senescence. It can replenish its own cells after sexual reproduction. Best of all, this cycle can continue indefinitely.

Unfortunately, human beings are not like the immortal jellyfish. People deteriorate and die, at least from a physical perspective. Yet, many people, for one reason or another, don’t seem to want to accept mortality. They long for a time when they were stronger, faster and more beautiful. They invest thousands upon thousands of dollars on youth creams, rejuvenating serums and age-defying surgery.

There is nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best and maximize the “good years” you have in your life. But you can also embrace the process of aging. You can be happy and proud of where you are and what you have accomplished. You don’t need to be embarrassed about the number on your birth certificate.

So take preventive measures with your health, look after your finances and age with pride and grace instead of regret. Whether you are close to putting down the gloves or just starting your career, there’s never a bad time to get on a new path and change.