Getting Out Of Debt

Stress can come from living an under-utilized lifestyle. Research shows that prolonged inactivity can give rise to stress just as easily as over-activity can. Under-utilization and stimulation of our gifts, and personal resources give rise to imbalance in our lives and especially in retirement.

I hope the following tips in early retirement and retirement will help you begin to takes steps to remedy this type of stress:

1. Are you in a blocked mode, not sure how to begin to find out how to become more active? Look at what you enjoy doing the most and find others that are interested in similar activities to yourself.

2. If there are no associations or clubs in your area, organise one yourself. There are probably many others like yourself just waiting for the opportunity to join your club.

3. Are you lacking in motivation? Ask people who you think could help you get started - someone like a mentor, someone who could encourage you.

4. If you are interested in voluntary work, your local Town Hall or Social Services Office would be able to give you a list of possibilities. Churches always have lists of different areas where voluntary work is needed.

5. Your health is very important so get in your walks on a regular basis and give yourself some tender loving care through a spa or massage - anything that gives you pleasure.

6. If there is a play or a show you would like to go to and you don't want to go by yourself, call some friends and offer to reserve the tickets in advance.

7. Remember you are not alone and never believe that 'so and so has a good life and would never ...' These statements are prejudiced and until you pick up the phone and ask you'll never know! Take your life by the hand that will guide you to the right place! Enjoy and be happy for blessings that come to you each day.

These tips are designed to get you started to live an active life in retirement. If you would like to learn more of what I can do for you in early retirement and retirement go to http://www.too-active-to-retire.com and email me at carole@too-active-to-retire.com with your thoughts and questions. I will give you a free report on "How to be Happy in Retirement". I would love to hear your views and to know what your biggest concern is in retirement.

AP - President Bush on Wednesday signed a massive housing bill intended to provide mortgage relief for 400,000 struggling homeowners and stabilize financial markets.

It's 6:00 a.m. and your eyes are wide open. The alarm clock wasn't even set
the night before, but old habits are hard to break. Today is the first day
of your retirement. You don't feel like a senior citizen but today you will
not be going to the office, store, or job site but rather will sit at the
breakfast table a little longer drinking that extra cup of coffee and
wondering " what now?".

It's your first day of retirement and time to review the retirement plans
that you have been making for years. Are you going to expand that workshop
so you can finish all those remodeling projects that you have put on hold?
Maybe you will finally buy that set of golf clubs you have had your eyes on
and go the driving range to hit a bucket of balls. Or perhaps you will now
have the time to make your yard and landscaping the best in the neighborhood.

How about getting involved in a senior volunteer program? Maybe you just
want to enjoy a leisure outdoor activity.

There are literally hundreds of interesting retirement activities you can get
involved in now that you are retired. Which ones you choose is not as
important as making the commitment to get involved in an activity or project
that is both challenging and satisfying. Having an activity you enjoy will
give you a purpose for your retirement years. You start out slowly and watch
it develop into an accomplishment of which you can be proud. The first day
of retirement is very special. You have been looking forward to this day for
a long time --- like a child waiting for Christmas morning.

Today is the time to sit down with your spouse and perhaps other family
members and discuss how you are going to make the most of all that extra free
time you suddenly have. Remember, you still have as much as 1/3 of your life
ahead of you. Retirement is not an ending, but rather the beginning of new
experiences and opportunities. Retirement is an extension of living. Look
around you. Are you happy with what you see or do you want to make changes?
It is your choice.Your retirement years are ahead of you and how you make the
best of these years will determine the quality of the rest of your life. You
have paid your dues, now take the plunge!

If you enjoyed this article, there is more information on outdoor activities
at TheLeisureLifestyle

Piet Van Lier is the writer of http://www.picnicplacemat.com site. If you find this article useful, visit our site for more information on leisure outdoor activities.

AP - Despite shaking a large swath of Southern California, a magnitude-5.4 earthquake was not the "Big One" that scientists have long feared. Still, it rattled nerves, causing people to vow to step up their emergency preparations.