Reaching the half-century mark is the perfect time to reflect and take stock of your goals for later life. Try these 20 things to renew your energy and set yourself up for success in retirement. It’s well worth putting in a bit of planning to make sure exciting times lie ahead as you reach uncharted territory.
Volunteer in your community
Find purpose by helping your community. You’ll meet new people, make a difference and feel a natural sense of accomplishment.
Become a mentor
Sharing your hard-earned knowledge with the next generations is a fulfilling experience. Plus, being recognised as a professional in your field does wonders for your sense of identity when you reach retirement.
Learn a new skill
Try your hand at something you’ve always wanted to do, it could lead to a new lease of life.
A couple watching videos for tips on staying up to date with advancing
technology trends.
Refresh your IT skills
The world of technology moves fast and it’s hard to keep up. Get ahead and don’t get left behind. Take a course or there’s no shame in asking your tech-savvy friends and family for advice.
Track down lost pensions
Use a service to find old pensions and consolidate them.
Get a health check on your financial planning
Make sure you’re on track to hit your financial goals in this next phase of your life with a registered financial planner.
Downsize
Switching to condo living or a smaller property will boost your retirement income.
Eat a blue-zone diet
The world’s longest-lived people share a diet in common and it’s no secret. Focus on those fresh fruits and vegetables to reap the rewards in old age. Thankfully in the Okanagan, we’re blessed with a bountiful array of locally grown produce, ripe for the picking.
Two friends taking part in a pilates class to improve strength and muscle quality.
Start strength training
Stay on top of that muscle depletion with twice-weekly strength training to fend off osteoporosis.
Get more vitamin D
For over 50s, it’s especially important for preventing osteoporosis. In the winter months, it helps to keep those levels high. Take supplements or Increase your exposure to vitamin D all year round by living somewhere with high sunshine hours. We personally love the Okanagan.
Quit smoking
The health benefits are many and if you quit at 50 you’ll add years to your life.
Get a hearing test
Didn’t catch the punch line of your friend’s joke? Our hearing degrades naturally as we age and it’s very gradual. Make sure it’s not worse than you think by getting regular check-ups.
Go see an optician
Eye health is so important. Stay on top of it with regular checks to make sure age-related issues like glaucoma aren’t creeping in.
Family embrace and get to know a new addition to the family.
Spend time with family
If you’ve got kids or grandchildren, relish being together and share your stories, it’s never time wasted.
Reconnect with old friends
Reach out and share memories with old friends, you never know, they’ve probably been meaning to get in touch too.
Research your family tree
Genealogical hobbies are a great past time and you never know what you’ll unearth in your family tree. Sites like Ancestry.com are a good place to start.
Make new friends
New friendships can lead you to unexpected places and bring new perspectives. It’s harder to make friends as you get older.
Learn another language
Meet new people, stave off dementia and broaden your horizons. At the very least, impress your friends when you order off the menu in a genuine accent at that place you love.
A woman taking some time to relax and read an old classic book.
Read a classic
Own countless classics that you’ve never read? Well now’s the time to crack one open and reap that sense of achievement.
Be grateful
Gratitude has proven psychological benefits and there’s so much to be thankful for in this beautiful part of the world. Try a gratitude journal or an app to keep you on track.