Most people only start worrying about retirement once it is almost upon them. Prabhat, who lives in Ranchi, Jharkhand, believes that mindset needs to change at least 10 years before the actual retirement date. According to him, five practical habits, if picked up early, can keep both money worries and health troubles away from old age.
Start building a financial cushion early
Prabhat's first piece of advice is about money. He suggests starting an SIP, a Systematic Investment Plan, a full 10 years before retirement, even if the monthly amount is as small as Rs 100. That sum may look insignificant today, he says, but a decade of consistent investing turns it into a meaningful corpus. Beyond the money itself, it builds the confidence that expenses after retirement can be handled without depending on anyone else.
Bone-strengthening yoga matters just as much
Alongside finances, Prabhat stresses physical preparation. He recommends practising yoga daily, particularly poses that strengthen bones, since the risk of falls and injuries rises with age. Stronger bones, he says, cut down that risk considerably, which is why he ranks yoga as being just as important to retirement planning as saving money.
Watch what you eat after 40
Prabhat calls the age of 40 a turning point for diet. His advice is to cut down on refined flour and sugar as much as possible and to finish dinner by 6 pm. Doing so, he says, keeps sugar and blood pressure problems at bay, and fewer illnesses automatically mean lower hospital bills. In other words, disciplined eating also eases the financial burden down the line.
Meditation and spirituality bring clarity
Next comes mental and spiritual preparation. Prabhat suggests making meditation a daily habit and reading the autobiographies of saints. This, he says, raises one's level of awareness and brings a kind of knowledge that helps handle the small frustrations that come with old age. The mind, in his view, needs just as much preparation as the body and the bank balance.
Retirement is the time to chase old passions
Prabhat points out that retirement is not a setback but an opportunity to finally pursue the childhood hobbies that social responsibilities never allowed time for. He cites gardening and travelling as his own passions and says following one's passion brings fresh energy and a renewed sense of purpose in life.
Knowledge matters more than money
The point Prabhat considers most important comes last: knowledge matters even more than money, and gaining it requires both meditation and the guidance of a guru. He believes people in old age get irritated easily over small things, especially when they feel unheard or when their authority within the family fades. In such moments, he says, it is knowledge that helps a person stay calm and cope.
