The value of peace of mind in retirement

1. Your health and wellbeing

Peace of mind plays a vital role in maintaining good health during your retirement years, as stress and anxiety can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental wellbeing.

By prioritising feeling secure, you’ll find that you will sleep better, boost your immune system, and enhance your cognitive function, which will ultimately reduce the risk of the likes of hypertension, heart disease, and depression. 

In March 2023, ExtraCare carried out research into what our current residents across our retirement villages value the most. We gave 158 participants a list of 13 answers which they prioritised in order of importance for them personally, and the one that came out on top was safety and security.

2. Your relationships

This time of in your life can provides an opportunity to deepen and nurture relationships with loved ones, as well as fix any strained relationships and unresolved conflicts. At ExtraCare, we are very passionate about the positive impact that strong relationships and being surrounded by a good community can have on people, as loneliness is a significant risk factor for those in their later years. 

Our 2015-2018 research study with Aston and Lancaster Universities showed that in our integrated retirement communities (IRC’s), there was a 23% decrease in anxiety amongst residents, and an amazing 87% said they are “never, or hardly ever lonely.”

Therefore, one way to achieve strong peace of mind, is to prioritise mending relationships, and consistently strive for stronger connections with family and friends. By fostering open communication and in some cases forgiveness, you can build a support system that will enrich your retirement years.

Rebecca, Granddaughter of a Solihull resident says; “You have brought peace of mind to our family, we have been able to live closer thanks to our grandparents moving into ExtraCare’s village. You are bringing families together and that is priceless.”

3. Financial security and planning

While peace of mind extends beyond the financial aspect, it is undeniably an essential component of retirement, and stability with finances is crucial for ensuring a worry worry-free life. By proactively pre planning and managing your accounts, you can alleviate concerns early on by making informed decisions and seeking any professional advice where necessary.