Research out of the UK found that retirement can have a detrimental impact on physical and mental health in both men and women; specifically, increasing your chances of being diagnosed with a disease by 40%. The lesson here: “Work, especially paid work, gives many people a sense of purpose. Losing that may lead to declines in health,” says Gabriel H. Sahlgren, the study’s lead author and director of research at the Centre for Market Reform of Education. The best way for you to retain that sense of purpose after you retire is to make a plan. “Don’t wait until you retire to decide how you’re going to keep busy,” says Dave Bernard, retirement blogger and author of Are You Just Existing and Calling it a Life? “And you need to look well beyond the first six months.” More from Prevention: Is Retirement Bad For You? “Many times, adults might not think about what it actually means to be retired, or they think about retirement in abstract terms,” says Angela Curl, PhD, MSW, an assistant professor in the University of Missouri School of Social Work. She advocates that you plan for retirement in more concrete ways. “If you want to volunteer when you are retired, ask yourself where and how often. Having specific plans and steps to follow will help you enter retirement more easily.” Use these tips to create your wellness plan now. Expand your social circle. Start now by joining a club or group that focuses on something you’re interested in, says Bernard. Or use social networking to look up friends that you may have lost touch with because you’ve been busy working. Get moving. Bernard also suggests finding a physical activity that you enjoy and will do because you want to, not because you feel like you “have” to. Experiment with some different things, like walking, yoga, or golf. Make sure that your partner is on board. “Individuals can envision retirement one way, but if their spouse doesn’t envision it the same way, it can be problematic,” says Dr. Curl. “Talking to your spouse about retirement before you leave the workforce is important in reducing conflict.” Creating a plan about how you’ll spend your time when you retire can reduce stress on you and your partner and keep you strong mentally as well as physically. After all, you want to be healthy enough to enjoy all the money you’ve saved. More from Prevention: What Boomers Know About There Health
