5 Secrets for Creating a Happy Retirement Lifestyle

As children, we were often asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Of course, this question referred to what job we hoped to have, but the questioning about our life goals usually stopped there.

You may not have thought much about your retirement lifestyle when you were younger. You knew that you had to plan, prepare, and save for the future, but what about the actual living part? Whether you have thought about it much or not, retirement is something that you have worked toward your entire adult life, and now you are here.

You may wonder what to do next and how to create a happy retirement lifestyle. As an engaging retirement living community in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, Uplands Village enables individuals to create their ideal lifestyle each and every day. We want to help you do the same, so our team is exposing five secrets to assist you in creating your happy retirement lifestyle.

1. Find Your Identity

Many of us associate who we are with our careers or what we do for a living. However, the issue with this is that once we enter retirement, this identity is no longer an active part of our everyday lives. This can lead to feeling a loss of purpose.

We have many roles in our lives: daughter or son, mother or father, sister or brother, friend, spouse, etc. However, not one of these titles or labels defines us or encompasses us alone. Instead, a whole person is made up of several of these identities.

There is more to you than your job, so one of the secrets of a happy retirement is to do some self-discovery and find a new identity or purpose for yourself that has nothing to do with work or your career.

For tips on how to rediscover your purpose, we encourage you to read our blog, “Finding Purpose After Retirement.”

2. Discover New Hobbies and Interests

Once you enter retirement, you may have a lot more free time on your hands. Even though sitting back and relaxing on the couch may be tempting, this will get old very quickly. 

Instead, use this time to explore your interests and discover new hobbies. Try new things and figure out what excites you. Having a variety of activities you enjoy can keep your days fresh and lead to an active, happy retirement lifestyle.

3. Create a Routine

We are creatures of habit. After leaving a routine you followed for so many years, it may be nice to step away from a rigid schedule for a while. However, you will likely find that you crave some sort of routine and even find satisfaction in it.

Establishing a routine in retirement does not have to be as busy or as strict as what your life was like when you were working full-time but creating an everyday routine, such as a morning ritual, can help you live with purpose.

4. Socialize with Friends and Family

For retirees, opportunities for connecting with others may not happen as naturally as they did when they were working. This makes it even more important to make an effort to connect with your friends and family members regularly.

Spending quality time with your family members is a good start, but forming new connections and relationships with individuals who share the same interests as you can lead to several health benefits, including:

  • Encouraging physical activity
  • Reducing stress
  • Enhancing cognitive functioning and delaying decline
  • Creating a sense of purpose
  • Improving longevity

5. Take Your Health Seriously

Another secret to creating a happy retirement lifestyle is to take care of your health. When you feel healthy, you feel happy. Exercising and eating right can go a long way in helping you maintain your overall health and wellness. 

Make sure you take your health seriously and talk to your doctor should you have any questions or concerns.


Being happy in retirement is about finding what works for you. Creating your ideal retirement lifestyle may take some time, but that is okay. Our team at Uplands Village is here to help you on your journey.

If you would like to learn more about our active retirement living community in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, visit our website or contact a member of our team.