12 Habits Every Retiree Should Embrace (That Have Nothing To Do With Your Health)

Prioritize these things in retirement.

A smiling elderly woman with curly gray hair is wearing a beige sweater. She's outdoors, and a green, blurry background suggests trees or plants.

Most people look forward to retirement because they don’t have to work to survive anymore, but retirement often comes with side effects like boredom and despondency. If you’ve reached retirement age, make sure to incorporate these 12 habits into your life for optimal joy in your later years.

1. Spend time in nature as often as possible.

A smiling person with short curly gray hair is wearing a light-colored scarf and jacket. The background features colorful autumn trees with red, orange, and yellow leaves, creating a warm and vibrant setting.

None of us know how much longer we have, but our expiry dates get ever closer every day. As such, it’s important to take every opportunity to enjoy epic sunrises and sunsets, have long walks through autumnal forests, and spend time down by the water with wonderful companions.

2. Turn off your phone on a regular basis.

A hand holding a smartphone in front of greenery. The phone screen displays a "slide to power off" prompt with an on-screen power button and a cancel button at the bottom. The background is blurred, focusing on the phone and the hand.

You’ve spent enough years of your life having to deal with work calls and various other stresses that have demanded your immediate attention. Now, you can decide how and when to interact with other people—entirely on your terms. If you aren’t expecting an urgent call, turn it off.

3. Sleep on your own schedule.

An older man with a mustache, wearing a red shirt, is lying on a blue couch with one arm behind his head and the other resting on his chest. In the background, a window with pink curtains and several potted plants can be seen.

Most people are forced to stick to sleep schedules that go against their natural circadian rhythms for the sake of standard work hours. Now that you’re retired, sleep when you’re sleepy, and wake when you’re ready to. Get as much rest as your body needs, and make naps a priority.

4. Do what you love, whenever you want to.

Two people having a picnic on a grassy area. A woman with blonde hair and a man with white hair are sitting on a blanket near a wicker picnic basket. A platter with fruits, cheese, and breadsticks is placed beside them.

Over the past few decades, you might have only had the opportunity to do the things you loved on weekends, in between chores and other household or family obligations. Now, you can prioritize the things you love the most, and do them whenever the whim strikes you.

5. Catch up with friends regularly.

Three women are sitting outdoors, smiling and enjoying each other's company. They are in a relaxed, natural setting with tree foliage in the background, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Each woman displays a warm, joyful expression.

We never know how long any of us is going to be around, and that goes for our loved ones as well. Now that you have more free time to do what you like, make it a priority to catch up with friends and spend as much time with them as possible.

6. Go grocery shopping in the early afternoon, on a weekday.

Elderly man with short white hair, wearing a light blue polo shirt, holds a red shopping basket and examines a product in a grocery store aisle. Shelves stocked with various goods line both sides.

Most 9-5 workers are relegated to doing their grocery shopping in the evenings or on weekends, both of which can be overcrowded and stressful. Instead, find out when your favorite stores restock, and head over there around 2pm. You’ll get all your shopping done in near solitude, with zero stress.

7. Keep variety going.

A smiling older woman with short, light-colored hair stands on an outdoor balcony. She is wearing a purple top and looking slightly to the right. The background is softly blurred and features greenery and an indistinct building.

It’s often easy for retirees to fall into ruts when it comes to choices in food, entertainment, and so on. Expand your repertoire by ordering in different dishes (or learning how to cook them), enjoying different types of media, and so on. Mix it up regularly so you don’t descend into boredom.

8. Get the pet(s) you’ve always wanted.

An elderly man sitting on a red bench outdoors, petting a small brown and white dog beside him. A tabby cat sits on his lap. The man has gray hair and is wearing a plaid shirt and dark pants. The background is a light-colored wall.

Were you unable to get a dog or a mini donkey because you didn’t have enough time to devote to it? Well, there’s no time like the present, and you now have all the time in the world to walk, groom, and fuss over the wonderful furry friend of your dreams.

9. Use the “good stuff” on a regular basis.

A man with a long white beard sits on a red sofa, holding a glass of whiskey. He wears a black suit with a white shirt. A decanter and an empty glass are on the wooden table in front of him. The room has dark, antique furniture and plants.

Never mind saving the “good” china or glassware for special occasions, nor tapping into the expensive whiskey only when guests come by. Every day is a cause for celebration, so use the good crystal glassware for your morning orange juice, and wear holes through your favorite clothes because you love them.

10. Enjoy the things you denied yourself in the past.

Two women sit at a table outdoors, smiling and engaging in conversation. One woman holds a smartphone, and the table is adorned with coffee cups, a cake, and other items. The background includes greenery and soft sunlight, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

How many times did you skip dessert because you wanted to keep wearing your fancy office clothes? Or denied yourself an item you desired because there were more important things to buy? Use your retirement years to enjoy the various things you weren’t able to indulge yourself with in the past.

11. Let go of whatever no longer serves you.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair stands with her arms crossed on a tree-lined path. She is wearing a patterned gray blouse and looks directly into the camera. The background features a lush, green park with trees and a clear, bright sky.

If you’ve had a major world travel tour on your “bucket list” but have no interest in doing that anymore, strike it off. Similarly, if there are people who have drained your energy for years, create distance from them. Fill your life with joy and discard whatever brings you down.

12. Take every opportunity to have joy.

A bearded man wearing a cowboy hat and plaid shirt grins joyfully while holding a mushroom. He sits outdoors on grass amidst greenery, with a basket full of mushrooms resting on his lap. The scene suggests he is excited about his mushroom foraging adventure.

How many sunsets or moments with family have you missed because you had a responsibility that took precedence? Prioritize joy in your life whenever possible, and cultivate an immense sense of gratitude for every bit of wonder you experience. Retirement is your opportunity to enjoy life’s sweetness without any guilt.