It can be surprising to find out how much better you feel after working in retirement than you did before retiring.
But many people think retirement means hanging up your work boots and taking it easy once and for all.
Whether you keep working full-time or just part-time, there are many great reasons to stay in the game beyond your golden years, from living longer to boost your mental health.
Here are some reasons why working after retirement on your mental and physical health.
Improve Mental Sharpness
Your brain continues working just as hard as when you were a younger person, even after retirement.
Numerous studies show staying intellectually active and challenged is good for your health, so keep reading and studying. If books aren’t your thing, learn a new language or play an instrument.
I’m not suggesting you work forever—just that adding things like these into your life can help combat mental decline by giving your brain something new to focus on and challenge it with.
Working after retirement also reduces the chances of mental health conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown that staying mentally active can reduce your risk of these diseases by 50 percent.
Working keeps your brain busy and challenges it with new things, which helps keep your mind sharp and healthy.
Helps You Stay Fit
If you stay fit and active during retirement, it will help keep your mind sharp and increase your quality of life. Exercise helps keep your brain healthy and ward off depression, a growing concern among retirees who lack social interaction or physical activity.
It’s also an essential part of fighting off cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other ailments common with aging.
If you find yourself driving around aimlessly or spending too much time at home, consider taking on some volunteer work or other productive activity that gets you out into the world.
Make sure you take frequent breaks—both from volunteering and from working for pay—and try to schedule enjoyable activities for each day so that your days don’t feel like work.
Improves your health
Studies show that not working as you age may lead to a shorter life. Research suggests your risk of death increases by 1% every year you quit work.
That’s no way to live! But don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to stay active and keep your mind stimulated after you retire. One key is to find new hobbies, like knitting or wine tasting.
For example, knitting has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall health, especially for older adults with arthritis. So if stress is what’s causing your doctor visits, staying busy may be just what you need!
Meet New People
A retirement plan can help you avoid an isolated lifestyle and even encourage new friendships.
When you’re getting up and going to work every day, it enables you to meet people from different backgrounds and age groups who can share their experiences, advice, stories, and more. Meeting new people can boost your mental health and help you stay active.
You’ll also get new perspectives on how other people are dealing with retirement or aging—which can be especially helpful if you feel dissatisfied or lonely in your retirement.
Staying connected is vital for everyone, but perhaps even more so for retirees—especially if they’re adjusting to life without a steady job routine or a schedule packed with meetings and appointments.
Extra money
Once you’ve retired, you’ll be forced to live on a fixed income, which can put a major cramp on your style. So whether you’re bored out of your mind or just looking for something productive to do, working can help add a little extra cash flow that gives you more freedom and control over your life.
Plus, if you work at something you enjoy—volunteering or freelancing are great options—you’ll have fun. That alone might make it worth sticking around past retirement age.
Raise Self-Esteem
If you feel low after retirement, consider volunteering or working part-time. Studies have shown that those who retire with a sense of purpose are less likely to feel lonely and depressed; they also enjoy lower stress levels and higher self-esteem.
Spending time outside your home can also help prevent isolation, associated with increased risk for heart disease and cognitive decline.
In addition, volunteering has been shown to boost self-confidence as you give back to your community and more. Perhaps most importantly, though, is that working may help keep your mind active and healthy.
Conclusion
There’s no perfect age for retirement, and studies suggest that working longer is beneficial. Among other things, many retirees find a sense of fulfillment by remaining productive members of society.
Staying active keeps your mind and body active too—which means you can stay healthy into old age. So if working after retirement interests, now is an excellent time to get out there and do it.
You’re never too old to learn new skills, take on new challenges, or contribute something valuable to society.