Calm Is Just a Chirp Away
LET BIRD SONGS LEAD YOUR MEDITATION
Imagine starting your day not with emails or phone screens but with the beautiful song of a cardinal, the flutter of wings, or the excitement of spotting a rare finch — or, any finch. Birdwatching is quickly becoming not just a hobby for people in their 50s and 60s; it’s an easy way to meditate. Grabbing a pair of binoculars and a birding guide has many benefits, like helping you reconnect with nature, create social connections, and improve your mental health. Get ready to find your calm out in nature! Birding Benefits Meditation is about being present and letting your mind shift into a state of peace. Birdwatching gives you an easy way to meditate, restoring focus and decreasing stress. Birds in their natural habitat can bring the outside to you. It’s especially helpful for people who have trouble quieting their thoughts or focusing. Bird songs can also put you in a better mood! One study in 2022 found that participants’ well-being was significantly better when they listened to bird songs. Finding Calm in the Chirp You don’t need prior experience with birdwatching or meditation to make this a regular practice in your life. Start close to home,
observing winged visitors that come to your yard or local parks. As you get more comfortable, start exploring national parks,
nature reserves, and known birding hotspots in your area. Birdwatching requires no fancy equipment, but a good pair of binoculars can make the whole experience more enjoyable. They will help you get a better look at the beautiful colors and make identifying different species easier. Keep a journal or birding log to track all the varieties you find. Take a mindful moment to jot down your observations and what each sighting means to you. Birding can be a solitary practice for stress relief, or if you join a local birding group, a great socialization opportunity.
So, look to the trees and let your worries take flight. Let every bird’s song and flash of colorful wings be a reminder that inner peace is just a few bright feathers away.
PLANNING FOR A HEALTHY, WEALTHY FUTURE RETIREMENT MISTAKES EVEN CAREFUL SAVERS MAKE
Income Planning One mistake people make when retiring is not having a plan for withdrawing money or an income strategy. This could lead to spending too much money early on and causing insecurity later. People are living longer today. You may risk outliving your assets if you don’t ensure your retirement income can last 30–40 years after your final paycheck. You must also consider external factors (like the economy) because a market downturn can significantly impact your retirement portfolio and thus your financial future. Reacting too quickly to a downturn, selling investments, or taking distributions from a depleted portfolio can cause permanent damage to your retirement savings. Other Financial Pitfalls If you don’t do any tax planning in retirement, you may have to share more of your assets than you would like with Uncle Sam. Failing to plan withdrawals
After years of dedicated service, retirement is a major reward you’ve likely been working hard to achieve, but it can bring unexpected challenges if you don’t plan correctly. Even careful savers can make some of the most common mistakes, like financial missteps, failing to prepare for their health and longevity, or underestimating how long their savings need to last. Here are some retirement pitfalls you should be aware of to get the most out of your benefits.
can result in higher taxes or Medicare premium increases. Strategies like spreading your income across years, offsetting higher deductions, or using a Roth IRA can all help lower your tax burden. Though it comes from a place of love, retirees may also want to give a little too much to their adult children without considering the financial strain that might incur. Health and Legacy Retirement isn’t just about dollars and cents. Often, people forget to think about their purpose in life after years of working in a career that brought them meaning. Similarly, people don’t always think about how physical activity, physical and mental wellness, and meaningful socialization can affect their financial future. If you aren’t planning on how to stay active, your health costs may add up over time. Contact us today if you want to know more about any of these and how to maximize your benefits.
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