Happiness and Positive Retirement Outcomes

I don’t think too many people would be surprised to learn that happiness is the key ingredient of positive life outcomes. For the more ‘mature’ cohort, particularly those who have retired, these positive life outcomes are directly linked to good health and social connectivity.

You may be familiar with National Seniors Australia (NSA), a member-based, not-for-profit research and advocacy organisation representing Australians aged 50 and over. The group does some terrific research and its latest piece is simply titled What makes older Australians happy?

How to describe happiness when it can be so many different things to different people? At its essence, happiness is a profound state of wellbeing, a warm and encompassing feeling that ranges from quiet contentment to an exuberant joy.

Happiness is not just a fleeting good mood, but a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s the inner knowledge that life, in this moment, is good. When you feel happy, it’s often experienced as a lightness in your chest or a radiant warmth spreading from the inside out. It makes the world seem brighter, your burdens feel lighter and your connection to others feel more genuine and effortless.

There is no recipe for happiness, although research in psychology and sociology points to several key ingredients that consistently contribute to a fulfilling and happy life. It’s usually not one single thing, but a combination of factors.

Commonly identified contributors to happiness include:

• Meaningful social connections: Having strong, positive relationships with family, friends and a community provides a sense of belonging, support and shared joy. This was highlighted in NSA’s research; social connectedness makes people happy – and happy people are more likely to be socially connected.
• A sense of purpose: Feeling that your life has meaning and direction is crucial, particularly once you have retired. For so many, paid work has been such a huge part of your life and for some, really defined who you are. When paid work ceases, this can have quite a negative impact. Retirement doesn’t mean you can’t have a sense of purpose; this can come from some part time work, a passion project, volunteering or contributing to a cause you believe in.
• Health and wellness: Taking care of your physical and mental health lays a vital foundation for happiness. This includes regular exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and managing stress effectively. NSA found a link between happiness and positive health outcomes – and also, that healthy people are happier.
• Gratitude: While the active practice of gratitude seems to have been hijacked by ‘influencers’ and other social media types, it remains important to consciously appreciate the good things – big and small – in your life. Gratitude can significantly shift your perspective and increase overall happiness.
• Engagement: This is the experience of being completely absorbed in an activity you enjoy and find challenging. It might be an old or new hobby, a physical activity or creative work. Engaging in something new has been found to create new neural connections, which keeps your brain as well as your body healthy.
• Autonomy and control: Feeling that you have a sense of control over your life and the choices you make is a powerful contributor to wellbeing. It’s hard to be happy if you feel out of control and lack confidence in your future.
• Optimism and resilience: Cultivating a generally optimistic mindset and learning to bounce back from adversity helps you navigate life’s inevitable challenges more effectively.

While money itself doesn’t buy happiness, having enough to cover your basic needs (food, shelter, safety) and feeling financially secure can remove major sources of stress and unhappiness. This is particularly true in retirement when you’re living on a fixed income. And, let’s face it, who doesn’t have plans beyond survival in retirement – you should be living your best life in this exciting new chapter.

If financial stress is eroding your happiness – or you would simply like to do more with your retirement – chat to one of our Australian-based retirement specialists. There’s no obligation, but you might find a way to bring even more sunshine and happiness into your life.

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