Get a social life

According to Charles Darwin University researcher, Professor Kate Moore, “everyone needs some balance in their lives”.

After years of being “tied up in our jobs”, Professor Moore tells DPS News some may struggle with an “identity crisis” as they enter retirement. For this reason, she claims the secret to a fruitful retirement is to think about work-life balance and create a broader sense of self-identity.

Professor Moore’s recent study into ways of living a more satisfying retirement highlights the importance of finding social activities that will engage a person during their ‘golden years’.

“We find there are social and emotional things that are very important for preparing in advance. It is important to find activities which will engage you during retirement,” she says.

“People put so much effort in their work-life; working longer hours, checking emails are now at the point where it can be directed to your mobile phone… opportunities are either not there or we don’t make time to have other pursuits in life which are important like having hobbies such as playing sports,” she adds.

According to Professor Moore, there needs to be a balance to life, between work and the home.

While she acknowledges there are many retirees who have financial concerns, Professor Moore maintains they should be equally as concerned about their social lives.

“People who prepare in advance for their retired years, and already have activities, such as playing sport or an interest in art which they can carry on into retirement will be better off,” she claims, adding meaningful and engaging activities in retirement can also include
grandparenting or volunteering.

Based on the study’s findings, Professor Moore says remaining proactive in retirement, while engaging in life and other people, will improve retirees’ moods.

Professor Moore is now interviewing participants of the study and soon hopes to make further suggestions on how people need to focus beyond the financial side of retirement.

“We want to try and understand what it means for people to retire and possibly offer strategies to assist people to make this life-changing transition,” she says.

How do you ‘unwind’? Share your suggestions on how you achieve that ‘work/social-life’ balance by commenting in the box below.