After a career in primary care medicine spanning over 40 years, the light of retirement became visible on my event horizon. With planning and thought, the transition from working to retirement has been as smooth as possible, and the future remains bright. Here are some thoughts I shared with Mel Magazine about the process.
The writer, Quinn Myers , asked me to expound on this topic, so let me share with you the brain dump that I shared with him.
Truth be told, this question is one that address both the younger worker and the older retiree. That’s because to have a successful retirement, you need to start planning while you are young, employed, and able to make plans. Financial concerns impact a great number of retirees, and starting to put away money into a retirement account when you start working is vital to being able to retire when you want to. Whether it is a company plan, like a 401k, or a conventional or Roth IRA, or some other form of squirreling away funds for the future, this is a vital first step.
Next, you need to have more in your life than work. If asked to describe yourself, your occupation should not be your primary identifier. Family and friends, community and organizations, hobbies and passions may not be able to consume a significant amount of your time while you are working, but the seeds need to be planted so that they can germinate when you have the time to devote to them.
Now, when the reality of retirement looms on the event horizon, start the process several months before the event, itself. See if you can cut the work hours a bit, see if you can engage some of those pent up passions a tad. You may discover new interests, rekindle old favorites, or buddy up with someone trekking the same path.
During these last few months, make sure that your finances are in order. Perhaps meet with a financial planner to insure that you will be able to pursue the retirement goals that you have set. Have honest talks with your partner and family, be sure that you are all on the same page. Clear up any misunderstandings or unrealistic expectations. Don’t forget about health insurance, and any other obligations which will need to be addressed.
Then comes that day when you wake up, and you don’t have to go to work. When I retired, we had planned a vacation not long after retirement, and were able to extend it a few days just to relax and break the cycle. Coming back to home and a loving family, without the stress of needing to go back to work, was wonderful. And then one needs to establish a new schedule, a new normal, to use the cliche. I, and many of my friends, established a daily routine of classes, exercise, and family activities. Nothing so strict that it could not be bent to accommodate an exception, but enough to insure that we were not sitting around watching TV all day. Sure, some of those old “chores” could be included as well. Basements are being cleaned, fences are being mended, some are taking new interest in lawn and gardens, and others clear swaths of time to be able to care for grandchildren or aged parents.
Speaking for myself, now retired about eight months, I am free of the daily stress that had burdened me for more than half of my life. I have time for my family and interests, and still can take a break when I want it. I can retain an interest in my profession, without being constrained by it. It takes planning, support, and a willingness on your part to “let go” of your work and take control of your life.
From ads for toilet paper to articles about bowel cleansing, people are often obsessed with their bowels. Getting the area residue free is one goal that may take some doing for some people. Here is a little article from Mel Magazine, where I was interviewed about thoughts of attaining the desired result.
Through my years in practice, a not uncommon question was what to take, do, or use to help relieve that awful feeling the morning after the night before. I was asked to evaluate a series of potential hangover cures by Mel Magazine, and here is a rather informative article detailing what you may want, and not want, to do.
Just when I think I've heard just about every diet, supplement, and weight loss scheme out there, along comes another one that would be preposterous, if it was not true. Social media is full of stories of people trying to lose weight by using cocaine. More than a bad idea, or ineffective, this is potentially lethal. Here is an article that gives some facts, and a testimonial from someone who tried.
Like most men, I have grown a beard in my time. And my wife asked that I shave it off. Well, “ask” may be too kind a word. But is there any benefit to having a beard, medically speaking? Here is an article that looks at some recent published findings. Whether they are true or not remains to be seen.
Sure, chefs are commonly men, but it seems that at home those duties fall to the women of the family. But many men want to do some of the tasks associated with a family feast. Here's a little piece from Mel Magazine, where I included some of what I do, along with some photos of the results!
Whether it’s just the change in seasons, or your planning a move to Alaska, sometimes how you feel and the ambient temperature seem to be having a battle for your comfort. Here are some tips to help you acclimate to a change in the environment, understanding that we are not all sunbathers or polar bears! Along with the comments that I shared with MEL Magazine, I am including some thoughts on going the other way, moving to a warmer climate, or dealing with the hot summer months. Either way, you can adapt!
Dealing with the heat
As with the cold, incremental changes in your environment can help acclimate to warmer temperatures. So spend some time in a warmer place, reduce your air conditioning to allow the room temperature to rise a bit. Don't sit in the sun and bake, try to be a bit more active, and remember to remain well hydrated to compensate for sweat loss. Dress appropriate to the temperature, with wicking fabrics to help heat transfer from your body, and lighter colors to reflect the sunlight. While you should not overeat, be sure to maintain good all around nutrition, as well as the fluids as mentioned above. Just as with shivering in the cold, signs of heat exhaustion such as elevated pulse rate, fatigue, or dizziness should signal the need to get into a cooler environment. Heat stroke is a medical emergency which should be treated by emergency medical personnel urgently.
