COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL February 25, 2015
11A
How to avoid growing bored in retirement
From the moment young men and women
fi rst walk into the offi ce for their fi rst day
as a working professional until the day they
offi cially retire, the notion of planning for
retirement is never far from their minds.
But when the day to hang up the briefcase
and donate all those business suits arrives,
some retirees wonder what to do next. Some
retirees know exactly how they will spend
their days when they no longer have to work,
while others who decide to play it by ear
may fi nd themselves battling boredom.
For those among the latter group, it’s
important to understand that many retirees
fi nd themselves bored once they no longer
have to focus on a career. Jobs keep men
and women busy and provide a sense of
purpose in their lives, so it’s understandable
that retirees feel bored once those jobs
are no longer a part of their lives. But just
because you no longer have an offi ce to go
to every day does not mean life cannot be as
fulfi lling or even more fulfi lling than it was
when you were still working. You just need
to fi nd something to avoid succumbing to
retirement boredom.
• Work part-time. Though it might seem odd
to start working right after you retire, a part-
time job can provide the type of structure
you have grown accustomed to without
all of the responsibility that comes with a
full-time career. Part-time jobs can range
from consultancy work that makes use of
your professional experience to something
entirely different like landscape maintenance
at a nearby golf course that gets you out of
the house and enjoying the warmer seasons.
Whichever you choose, make sure it’s
something you fi nd fun and interesting.
• Embrace a new hobby. Working
professionals often say they wish they had
time to pursue a hobby. Now that you are
retired, you have all the time in the
world to do just that. Whether it’s
perfecting your golf game, writing
that novel, learning to cook like a
gourmet chef or whatever else you
might have always wanted to do,
retirement is a great time to do it.
• Get in shape. If retirement
boredom has started to negatively
affect your mood, one great way to
conquer your boredom and improve your
mood at the same time is to start exercising.
Exercise is a natural mood enhancer. When
the body exercises, it releases chemicals
knowns as endorphins, which trigger
positive feelings in the body. In addition,
regular exercise has been shown to reduce
stress, boost self-esteem and improve sleep.
Working out at a gym also is a great way to
meet fellow retirees in your community, and
the energy you have after exercising may
give you the boost you need to pursue other
hobbies.
• Volunteer. If a part-time job is not up
your alley, then consider volunteering in
your community. Volunteers are always
in demand, and volunteering with a local
charity can provide a sense of purpose and
provide opportunities to meet like-minded
fellow retirees, all while helping to quell
your boredom. Retirees who love to travel
can combine their passion for volunteering
with their love of travel by signing up
to work with an international relief
organization that travels abroad to help the
less fortunate.
Upon retiring, many retirees initially fi nd
themselves coping with boredom. But there
are many ways to avoid the restlessness of
retirement.
PROBLEMS
UNDERSTANDING
SPEECH?
Please give us a
call for a hearing
evaluation to see
if we can help.
How senior donors can
avoid scams
Con artists masquerading as charities can
of the mailer/gift you received, or mail a
victimize anyone, but seniors are especially
check directly to the organization after you
vulnerable to such criminals. Men and
independently confi rm its address, be it
women who perpetrate charitable fraud often through your own research or by contacting
target older men and women, feeling that
the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).
seniors are more likely to have a signifi cant
• Insist that your personal information is not
amount of money in their bank accounts
shared. Before making a charitable donation,
and less likely to report crimes for fear of
donors are often notifi ed that their contact
embarrassment.
information is likely to be sold to or traded
But even if seniors are prime targets for
with other charities. This can lead to an
charitable fraud, they still can take steps
infl ux of charitable solicitations that elderly
to safeguard themselves from scammers
men and women may fi nd overwhelming. So
looking to exploit their generosity.
prior to making a donation, speak directly
• Never donate over the phone. No reputable with the charity and insist that none of your
charity will insist on a donation over the
information be shared with other charities
phone. When a person calls and says they
or organizations. If this cannot be arranged,
represent a charity, they should be willing
fi nd an organization willing to make such
to send you information in the mail so
a concession and contribute to that charity
you can further explore their organization
instead.
before making your fi nal decision. If a caller • Ask for help. If you are confused when it
attempts to pressure you into donating over
comes time to make your annual donations,
the phone, hang up.
ask a son, daughter or trusted confi dante
• Keep a list of organizations you have
for help so you can rest easy knowing your
donated to in the past. Many people who
donation goes where you intend for it to go.
perpetuate charitable fraud reference a past
relationship or donation history between
their victims and the charity
the criminal is claiming to
represent. Maintain a list
of your donation history,
including the organizations
you have donated to and the
amount of those donations.
This can help you verify if
the person calling, emailing
or visiting you is telling the
truth.
• Do not feel obligated to
give. Many charities send
gifts to their donors as a
token of appreciation for
their support. Some criminals
masquerading as charities
will send gifts to potential
victims in an attempt to
fool them into writing a
check. Whether a charity
in a Great Place.
is legitimate or not, seniors
Right here in Cottage Grove.
should not feel obligated
to donate simply because
At PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center, we care
for every body, every day, in every way that we can. In addition to
they received a gift. If you
excellent patient care at our hospital, we offer personalized primary
receive a gift and want to
care at each of our medical clinics. We also provide digital imaging,
donate, confi rm that the
laboratory services and a variety of medical specialties, including
organization that sent you the
physical therapy. Find out how we keep Cottage Grove going strong.
Discover the spirit of healing at peacehealth.org/cottage-grove.
gift is legitimate and not an
imposter organization that is
baiting you with a gift. If the
gift was accompanied by a
donation form, do not fi ll out
that form, choosing instead to
1FBDF)FBMUI.FEJDBM(SPVQt541-767-5200
make a direct donation via the
1FBDF)FBMUI$PUUBHF(SPWF$PNNVOJUZ.FEJDBM$FOUFSt541-767-5500
organization’s website, a site
1515 Village Drive, Cottage Grove
you should fi nd independent
Great Care
Celebrating 20 years of providing
the best customer service in the business.
Grant Gording, BC-HIS
Board Certifi ed in
Hearing Instrument Sciences
FREE Hearing Screenings
FREE Hearing Aid Checks & Cleanings
Just call to schedule an appointment!
Grant's Hearing Centers
www.grantshearing.com
Cottage Grove
1498 E. Main Street
541-942-8444
Actual Spectrum Residents
Life with ...
flexibility
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• Anytime dining – our dining room is open from 7am until 7pm
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• Wellness Center with state-of-the-art Technogym ® equipment
• Studio, one, and two bedroom apartments
• Large, walk-in closets
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541.378.4332
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