4 Tips for Avoiding Boredom after Retirement

General Posted by anthony Date May 7, 2012

This guest post is contributed byåÊAngelita Williams, who writes on the topics ofåÊonline courses.åÊ She welcomes your comments.

For many of us who are on the eve of retirement or who are just entering, you will likely experience several emotions, which can be accurately summed up with the word ÛÏbittersweet.Û For so many years, much of your self-worth likely came from your career. Now that your career has come to an end, you may wonder what you will do with your life (which for many Boomers, will far exceed the number of years spent in retirement than previous generations). Perhaps you will go on an extended vacation with your spouse, but, letÛªs face itÛÓyou likely canÛªt travel forever. So what to do? Here are some ideas to get you started.

1.åÊåÊåÊåÊ Volunteer for a worthy cause.

ThereÛªs no better time than now to devote your time and efforts volunteering for a worthy cause. You have not only the time but also the knowledge and experience to make a difference in the lives of your community and at large. The best part about volunteering in retirement is that there are a growing number of options geared specifically to those over 50. For more information, check out this U.S. News article.

2.åÊåÊåÊåÊ Start or restart a hobby.

As with many things in our lives, hobbies often fall on the wayside when we have a full-time job to perform and a family to feed and nurture. Take advantage of all the free time you have to take up a new hobby or restart an old one. Were you an avid shutterbug in college? Then find or buy your camera and take classes at a local community college to brush up. Do you have a thing for shows like Antiques Roadshow? Then get out there and start going to antiques auctions. Whatever it is that you decide on, become as involved as possible to find fulfillment.

3.åÊåÊåÊåÊ Write letters to your loved ones.

There are various ways we use to keep in touch with our loved ones, more often than not through phone, email, or Facebook. However, when I was young, one of the most memorable experiences of my life was receiving snail mail letters from my grandmother. Writing letters to loved ones, especially the young ones who are just getting excited about learning to read and write, is a great and engaging way to pass the time, formulate your most intimate emotions intoåÊ words, and, most importantly, to draw your loved ones closer to you.

4.åÊåÊåÊåÊ Set goals that keep you physically and mentally active.

Unfortunately, as we age, the saying ÛÏuse it or lose itÛ becomes even truer. Set goals for physical fitness by participating in invigorating activities. You donÛªt necessarily have to have a gym membershipÛÓall you have to do is be active on a consistent basis. Go for daily walks with your spouse, take up a physically demanding hobby like gardening, or join an informal seniors sports league. As for mental fitness, read books that challenge previously held assumptions. Complete various puzzles, play chess with your grandchildren, and stay on top of trends and current events through newspapers and the Internet.

This isnÛªt to say, of course, that you wonÛªt experience boredom in retirement every once in awhile, just like you experienced boredom pre-retirement. The most important thing to remember, however, is that you should look at retirement as an incredible opportunity to do everything you always dreamed of until your career got in the way.

New Database Provides Economic Security Data for Families Across the Country

General Posted by anthony Date May 4, 2012

WouldnÛªt it be nice to know what families need to make ends meet in your community? Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) has unveiled its new Economic Security Database, which provides that exact information in a user-friendly tool. The database provides comprehensive information on how much it costs for families and retired elders to cover their most basic expenses, including housing, food, health care and transportation. It

places reliable economic security data conveniently at the fingertips of policy makers, advocates, service providers and families.

The Basic Economic Security TablesTM (BEST) Index is a wide-ranging measure of the incomes that families of all shapes and sizes need to achieve economic security. All of the available BEST data is gathered in one domain. The Economic Security Database allows users not only to find data for your county and family type but also to compare personal budgets to the expenses of the local BEST Index; compare expenses across locations and family types; and download state and county-specific data that is relevant to you, demonstrating the importance of reducing major expenses and increasing incomes for the many families across the country.åÊ

The Elder Index is a similar measure of well- being that looks at the income older adults need to meet their basic needs.

Additional information about the database, including a step-by-step guide for new users and the slides of a recent introductory webinar, is available on WOWÛªs website. For further information, contact Matt Unrath.

Legacy Project Shares Life Lessons from Elders (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date May 3, 2012

Legacy Project Shares Life Lessons from Elders

General Posted by anthony Date May 2, 2012

Karl Pillemer,åÊ a professor of human development in the College of Human EcologyåÊat Cornell University,åÊand Professor of Gerontology in Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College began The Legacy Project in 2004, collecting the practical advice for living of AmericaÛªs elders.åÊ

His research team systematically gatheredåÊnearly 1500 responses to the question: ÛÏWhat are the most important lessons you have learned over the course of your life?Û

PeopleåÊfrom across the country in their 70s and beyondåÊshared their wisdom for living. Their advice ranges fromåÊhow to be happy on a day-to-day basis, the secrets to a successful marriage, tips on raising children, ways to have a fulfilling career, strategies fordealing with illness and loss, and how to grow old fearlessly and well.

His book on the project, 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans, was recently published. He then took the book and transformed the advice from older persons and their solutions to major problems into ÛÏlessonsÛ that everyone of any age can put into practice. And that is how The Legacy Project web site developed.

You can look for advice around these topics:

And you can share your advice too.åÊ

Check it out.

Interestingly, in my thousands of hours performing in nursing homes and collecting stories for my book, Who Moved My Dentures?, I too developed a list of eight essential life lessons that contributed to a quality of life for those living in circumstances that we never equate to with quality of life. In fact I have a keynote called The Meaning of Life in which I share these lessons. Want to know them? Send me an email and I will send you the eight life lessons and tips on how to apply them.