There are a lot of tiny changes anyone can make to feel more positive. Exercising, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, spending time with others, prioritizing positive thoughts, mindfulness techniques, and engaging with personally meaningful activities have all been shown to improve mood.

Not at all! This is a common misconception. Studies consistently show that people actually report overall better moods as they age. Changes in perspective, skills developed over time, and experience all contribute to positive moods in older age.

Stress, loneliness, fatigue, pessimistic thoughts, chronic pain, sickness, sudden loss, lack of purpose or meaning, chemical imbalances in the brain, painful memories, and even the weather can all have an impact on our moods.

While it used to mean a complete separation from work, there is no one-size-fits-all definition for retirement anymore. Some people stop working by choice, while others are forced to stop working due to layoffs or disability. Some people opt to continue working either full- or part-time yet still refer to themselves as being “retired.” As such, the most accurate definition for retirement now is: a new phase of life signaled both by a significant reduction in work hours and by the receipt of retirement income and benefits, such as Social Security income.

It depends! Though many Americans believe they need approximately $1.3 million dollars to retire, the reality is that most of us have much, much less than that. What actually makes the bigger difference is not your savings or income, but your expenses. If you can find ways to lower your expenses, then you can theoretically make any amount of income work, no matter how small. Most people save as much as they can and make the best of it once they retire. A Roth-IRA is an excellent option to consider if you have the opportunity to save.

Technically, anyone who receives taxable income can contribute to a Roth-IRA. In other words, if you receive a paycheck and pay taxes on the paycheck, then that counts as taxable income. Your contribution gets to grow tax-free, and when you withdraw the money it also is not taxed (unlike a 401K, which is taxed when you withdraw from it). This is a very powerful investment tool! You can open a Roth-IRA for yourself and for your spouse, even if your spouse does not earn income (as long as you do!). You also can open a Roth-IRA for your child as long as they are earning income, such as through a part-time job. The limit per year is $6,500 per person under the age of 50 years old, and $7,500 per year for people aged 50 years or older.

Research in the last fifteen years consistently shows that there are four key questions that all potential retirees should answer in preparation for retirement. They are: What will I do with my time? Where will I live? Who will I spend my time with? And How will I afford it? By taking the time to reflect on and answer each question, each person can analyze their own unique situation and come up with a solid plan.

There are so many options! Reducing hours at work means that retirees have a lot of time to pursue meaningful activities. Some retirees choose to spend more time with family and friends, others grow new hobbies, and there are many worthy organizations looking for volunteers. Some people continue to work! When we think about the structure, social interactions, and sense of meaning that work provides, it’s important to find other ways to meet those needs.

No matter your age, it’s always helpful to save for the future. Saving tax-exempt money in a company-sponsored 401K account or saving taxed income in a Roth-IRA are always good ideas. As I like to say, "Money never goes out of style," and your future self will thank you for storing a little more away. Beyond financial preparation, check out my new book, The Golden Rules of Retirement, for guidance on living a fulfilling retirement based on research, current trends, and my decade of experience providing psychological services to retirees.