| Redundancy, whether it be voluntary or compulsory, | | | | - Listen to ones body, for fatigue, health warnings, |
| brings its own issues and stresses. As does | | | | sleep needs, dietary changes, recuperation times. |
| retirement. Often my clients are concerned about the | | | | Learn to notice the 'amber light' , like with traffic |
| financial implications, even if there has been a lump | | | | lights, that flash to alert a need to slow or maybe |
| sum payment from work. Many people are | | | | stop for a little while. This is important to maintain |
| concerned about what the future may hold in terms | | | | good health and manage any stress levels. |
| of their future role, personal relevance and value. This | | | | - Read magazines, take advice from salons, beauty |
| pressure can seriously impact on self esteem and | | | | counters, tasteful friends, fashion consultants. Whilst |
| confidence. | | | | appreciating what suits, it's also important not to be |
| Many people define themselves through their job. | | | | stuck with the same look for years. Keeping stylish |
| Ask someone to 'tell me about yourself' and often | | | | and smart is a huge factor in energy levels and |
| their job is a key part of the reply. Work is often the | | | | personal confidence and self esteem. |
| biggest part of our life, the hours and commitment | | | | - Exercise is important. Many leisure centres and |
| required to do a good job often take precedence | | | | gyms have cheaper memberships or daily rates for |
| over other things, like family and social life, or even | | | | the over 50's and often run special sessions. Golf |
| health concerns. | | | | clubs and bowling clubs often encourage the over |
| Aging gracefully has to play a part in decisions over | | | | 50's in daytime memberships. |
| future goals and decisions. Youth brings its own | | | | - Maybe think of taking up a skill or hobby. Many local |
| energy and enthusiasm, but often other pressures | | | | colleges do recreational courses in languages, arts and |
| factor in, like stress, finances, career, family. As we | | | | crafts, interests that people have but where there is |
| age often a calmness and easier sense of balance | | | | no need to take an exam at the end. So that the |
| can come about. There is often less intensity, less | | | | course can be enjoyed, without the pressure or |
| extremes of emotions. The sophistication of life | | | | stress of having a test. The University of the Third |
| experience can bring with it a less urgent sense of | | | | Age has a lot to offer in this area. |
| perspective to life events. | | | | - Voluntary work can be very satisfying. Many |
| So, how do we find a good balance in life as | | | | organisations rely heavily on skilled, talented, |
| retirement approaches ? | | | | energetic people who are no longer employed in |
| - Personal relationships need to be nurtured and | | | | regular jobs. Charity organisations, the League of |
| invested in so that when the children start to leave | | | | Friends, the National Trust are just three examples. |
| home, or the daily work routine begins to change, | | | | Think of retirement as an opportunity to do the |
| partners and friends are still there and are an | | | | things that you have wanted to do, maybe travel, |
| important part of our ongoing life and support team. | | | | see the grandchildren more, take up that hobby or |
| - It's important to find a balance between the energy | | | | interest, whilst at the same time, being able to do it |
| required in working to maintain ones own standards, | | | | on your own terms. A new phase of life to be |
| whilst appreciating that one is not a teenager | | | | enjoyed and appreciated. |
| anymore. | | | | |