You’ve done it. You’ve saved your money, you’ve funded your 401(k), and now you’re retired. Congratulations! It’s now the day after, your spouse has gone to their job and, after sleeping in a bit, the realization is sinking in. Now what?

Take on a New Hobby or Rekindle an Old One

The dangers of retirement burnout are well known. Boredom and age can lead to mental decline, while staying active can keep you mentally sharp. That’s why finding ways to fill your time is so important. One of the best ways to fill your days is with hobbies. Retirement is the perfect time to pick up a new skill or pastime. You can try a subscription box that focuses on a hobby to learn a new one! If there’s a hobby you’ve had to drop in the past, now might be the time to revisit it, too!

  • Cooking — Cooking is a great skill to learn, for many reasons. It’s healthier than eating out and saves you money. Another reason to love cooking is that there’s always something to learn, a new technique or skill to pick up. There’s always a new recipe to try out; and there’s, always a new cuisine to explore. Plus, you get to enjoy the outcome of your hobby — the food you make!

  • Reading — When it comes to passing time, it’s tough to beat a good book. Not only is reading fun, it’s really good for your mental health. Getting into the habit of reading may seem difficult, but it’s worth making space in your schedule for a good book.

  • Exercise — Adding exercise to your daily routine is a great way to not only kill time but improve your health as well. Even committing 10 minutes a day can make a difference in the long run. A morning jog is a popular way to get the body moving. Whatever it is, there are few things with as many benefits as regular exercise.

  • Meditation — If your boredom is making you feel a little stressed out, you could always try meditation. While it can seem like a steep learning curve, getting started with meditation is not difficult. Not only is it extremely healthy, meditation can help you clear your head. Whether in a group or at home on your own, meditation has a lot to offer.

  • Traveling — With the free time that retirement may afford, you’ll have the opportunity to travel. You can do day trips or longer adventures that take you around the United States and anywhere between. You can even try seasonal vacations to feed your explorer’s spirit. Just be sure to follow these tips before heading off to have a stress-free trip.

Try a Part-Time Job

If you’ve got the time and want to earn a little extra cash to supplement your retirement savings and Social Security, you could pick up a part-time job. If you find the right flexible job, you can keep yourself busy while working around your own schedule.

Since you’re not relying on the income, you also have the freedom to choose a job that speaks to you. Love the outdoors? Find a job at a hunting and sports shop. If you enjoy crafts, look into jobs at craft shops. Embrace the hobbies you love with a part-time job that funds them.

That’s what retirement’s about, doing what you like to do or what you want to do at that time. — Senior Entrepreneur Dick Lewis

If you want to be your own boss, join the growing wave of seniors who are trying entrepreneurship. We spoke to one such entrepreneur, Dick Lewis, who shared with us tips on starting your own business.

He stressed that it’s important to take your time, and if you don’t enjoy doing what you’re doing, you can quit. “That’s what retirement’s about, doing what you like to do or what you want to do at that time,” he told us. That’s exactly the freedom that entrepreneurship provides retirees.

Spend Time with Friends and Family

One of the chief dangers of retirement is the fear of isolation. Work gives you a sense of companionship with your coworkers and your family most likely has jobs or school to attend. Isolation can lead to mental decline, depression, and even physical decline.

That’s why staying active and seeing friends and family is so important. Whether that’s setting up lunch dates or eating dinner at a family member’s house, companionship is essential.

To help you stay connected, you can even sign up for a social media platform. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are helping even homebound seniors stay connected with loved ones.

If you’re looking for companionship, though, it’s difficult to beat a pet. Dogs are shown to be beneficial to their owners in a variety of ways, while cats offer much of the friendship of a pet while being more self-reliant. Either way, it’s tough to go wrong with a pet.

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Retiring can seem scary. It’s a whole new chapter in your life. For as long as you can remember, you’ve either had to attend school or work for a living, sometimes at the same time! Now’s your chance to reap the benefits of all that hard work. With so much to do and enjoy, it’s hard to see how you could ever be bored!