10 Ways Retirees Can Avoid Feeling Lonely

[New Sancai Compilation First Release] A MassMutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) poll of 2,000 retirees and pre-retirees found that nearly one-third (31%) of retirees sometimes feel lonely or hopeless.

Nearly eight in 10 (or 77%) of pre-retirees who are 15 years away from retirement say they expect to feel happier in retirement. In fact, 67% of retirees feel more satisfied in retirement than when they were working.

Happier retirees keep themselves busy with social activities. 76% spend time with loved ones, 70% exercise, 63% pursue hobbies, 62% travel, and 49% care about their health.

"MassMut Life's research on retirement well-being highlights the importance of managing expectations and preparing financially and emotionally for retirement." Paul LaPiana, director of brand, product and affiliated distribution, MassMutual Life Insurance Co., Ltd. express.

"The happiest retirees invest not only in their financial future, but also in their pre-retirement social circles and physical health," LaPiana said. "These investments can help reduce loneliness in older adults," the U.S. Surgeon General said last year. Declaring autism a public health epidemic."

A sunny outlook on the golden years

The survey found that near-retirees have an overly optimistic view of retirement. 79% expect travel and 71% say exercise are the two most important activities. In fact, 83% of retirees say watching TV is their number one pastime.

On the positive side, 78% of retirees say they have saved more than they need or just enough to meet their retirement needs, while only 19% have less than they need.

44% of pre-retirees worry about how their finances will support them in retirement, but 46% of retirees say they have fewer financial concerns than before retirement.

“In similar research we conducted a decade ago, we also found a strong relationship between happiness and planning, as retirees who reported the highest satisfaction were also those who had taken concrete steps to organize their emotional and financial well-being in the years before retirement. People who plan their lives well," LaPiana said.

How retired people express a positive attitude

There are many things retirees can do to stave off boredom, stay connected, stay relevant and stave off the blues, according to advice from major retirement savings companies like AARP and Vanguard.

These include:

1.) Serve as a mentor

2.) Exercise

3.) Stay (or become) financially savvy

4.) Volunteer service

5.) Return to work

6.) Spend time with family

7.) Maintain social connections

8.) Hobbies and interests

9.) Travel

10.) Live in the moment

Serve as a mentor

Seniors can become mentors through their local area, civic groups, schools or alma maters.

For example, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA, has launched the SAGE (Seniors Access Higher Education) program, which provides volunteer mentoring opportunities in Pennsylvania school districts for adults aged 55 and older.

Seniors may also find opportunities to work as mentors, tour guides or docents at tourist attractions.

sports

Exercise should be a top priority for retirees. According to the Department of Health and Human Services' Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, people 65 and older should engage in 2 to 4 hours of moderate physical activity per week. For maximum health benefits, they can engage in additional vigorous activity for up to 75 to 150 minutes.

Retirees can also get in touch with nature through walking or hiking, and can avoid falls through balance exercises. Even if a person has physical limitations, they can always swim, use weights, a treadmill, or a bike.

Stay (or become) financially savvy

Not only is engaging in financial management a smart move for seniors—to take control of their money and avoid senior financial fraud—but it’s another way to stay mentally sharp.

Volunteer service

There are many local organizations that welcome older volunteers, such as hospitals and libraries.

return to work

Nearly one in five people (19%) aged 65 and older are still working, according to the Pew Research Center. Part-time and mixed work and low unemployment make older people more likely to work.

While many seniors need to work for financial reasons, there are also many who want to work—to stay active, feel relevant, and keep their minds sharp.

spend time with family

Retirees say one of the greatest pleasures they enjoy is spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren and, if they are lucky, their great-grandchildren.

Maintain social connections

Even for those with strong family ties, retirees may find it comforting to maintain social ties or create new ones. Local community centres, libraries and churches are great places for seniors to make new friends.

The joy and satisfaction of caring for a pet cannot be underestimated.

hobbies

Older people are known to find satisfaction and a sense of purpose through hobbies such as painting, gardening, cooking, knitting, golf, learning a new language, and even yoga or pottery.

Medical research has found that engaging in hobbies later in life is associated with a lower risk of death.

travel

Well-financed retirees are known for traveling the world, but you don't have to travel to the far corners of the earth to enjoy new places. Local attractions, museums, concerts or special events are also fun.

Living in the moment

Appreciating all that a person has accomplished and the life they have now can be humbling and bring a sense of joy and peace to anyone of any age.

(Compiled by: Wang Jimin)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: Compiled and published by New Sancai)