The secret to a fulfilling retirement
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"If you don't work hard in retirement, retirement is going to be hard."
That anti-intuitive advice comes courtesy of retirement coach Lukas Winward, aka the Golfing Counsellor.
The happiest retirees he sees all have one thing in common: they are active - socially, mentally and physically. They set goals and strive to attain them. They establish routines that keep them healthy and engaged in fulfilling pursuits. Most importantly, they embrace new experiences and new connections. And if they have to force themselves out of their comfort zone occasionally to do so, all the better.
"Achieving a fulfilling retirement is an active process," Winward says. "The work you put into planning your retirement can be as demanding as it is rewarding."
Winward's dynamic, "squeeze the juice" approach to retirement is backed up by science.
In a recent interview with the Australian Financial Review, Professor Raymond Dolan of University College London, fondly nicknamed "the Don Bradman of neuroscience" for his extraordinary citation record, advised seniors to "continuously make the effort to break our propensity to be habitual".
"People who continue to have an exploratory, goal-directed life appear to be less susceptible to disorders like dementia and live longer," he said.
Perhaps this is why retirement living residents tend to report very high levels of life satisfaction. They typically enjoy a strong sense of belonging and easy access to a variety of social and physical activities. They are well supported to remain active in every realm of life, with abundant opportunities to form new friendships, develop their skills and explore diverse interests.
Retirement villages and resorts take the "hard work" out of a fulfilling retirement, while maximising the health and happiness rewards.
If you are looking to optimise your retirement, a great place to start is the Retirement Village and Resort Expo. Featuring Australia's most reputable operators, the Expo is a rare opportunity to explore a huge range of offerings at every price point - all in a single outing.
There's not only a lot of variety, there's a lot to learn. Visitors are encouraged to take their time and ask all the questions they need - big and small - to help them make an informed decision about the next step.
Retirement living is increasingly aligned to specific lifestyle goals with each community providing a unique atmosphere and schedule of activities. At the Expo, you can discuss your retirement aspirations directly with village staff to find the best fit for you, in a casual environment with no sales pressure.
To get your ideal retirement lifestyle underway, visit www.retirementexpo.com.au today to find the next Expo near you. It's free, it's friendly, and it could change your life!
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