😊 RetireHub Daily: Why your good habits don't stick | 06/08/2024

It is Saturday, June 8th, 2024

Dear RetireHub Daily Readers, how was your week? We’re ringing in the weekend with a loose theme of Hobbies and Interests, as well as the usual deals, tips, and trivia!

On this day in 1949, British author George Orwell published “1984”, a dystopian novel about the perils of totalitarianism.

Do you know Orwell’s other books? Test your knowledge in our trivia at the end of this newsletter.

Deal of the Day

1-Year Peacock TV Subscription for $60 $20!

We’ve mentioned the variety of shows available on Peacock before—plus you’ll be able to stream the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris! Just use offer code STREAMTHEDEAL at checkout.

• Shop the Deal

RETIREHUB POLL

How to make a good habit stick

The world is full of advice that promises “one little trick” to do all the things that make us happy but the truth is that’s baloney. Good habits take time, patience, and require a lifetime of effort. BUT that doesn’t mean you need a herculean effort to get started.

Here are some real truths and tips about forming a new habit:

• Your brain would rather you didn’t—our brains are built to protect us and keep us comfortable. They don’t want us to make too much effort or try something new. So try being kind to yourself if you’re struggling.

• All or nothing approaches rarely work—have you ever tried a new diet only to fall off the wagon harder than ever? Evidence shows going in hard hardly ever work.

• So ease into something—when you start small, you trick your brain into gathering momentum. It becomes a competition, a reward. Start with the easiest, gentlest version of the habit you can imagine, such as going for a walk if you want to start exercising. Then go for a slightly longer walk the next time. If you did that every day for a year you’d be a heck of a lot fitter by the end.

• Link good habits to your routine—maybe you want to start a new hobby or exercise first thing in the morning, but instead you find yourself drawn to the morning coffee and a sit-down. Keep the coffee, just do it after the new habit or hobby as a reward.

• Keep a notebook of your progress—this lets your brain see that you are achieving something. Most of us don’t sit and appreciate our achievements. If you do this for the small wins you’ll keep that momentum going.

• Go easy on yourself if you mess up—contrary to what a lot of us were taught growing up, shame is not a good motivator. If you miss a day, don’t be hard on yourself. Life gets in the way. See your habits as having good “streaks”. You can always get a streak going again.

If you’re interested in reading more about making habits stick, have a look at the Atomic Habits book by James Clear.

Yesterday’s Poll Results - How does the thought of a loved one in a nursing home make you feel?

It’s a tough question, but one many of will sadly have to face. It’s no surprise most RetireHub Daily readers (54%) have mixed feelings about a loved one being in a nursing home. 14% find safety in knowing a loved one is receiving the care they need, while a third (32%) don’t like the idea at all.

Thanks to the many of you who vote and comment every day!

Our Favorite Comments:

We love hearing and sharing all your comments from our polls! While we can’t publish them all, we do read and appreciate every comment.

• “Both my parents got to stay at home until they passes thanks to a group in our area called Visiting Angels. They were incredible.”

• “I was caregiver for my parents when they aged and health issues came into play. They both had to recover from broken bones and health issues, always returning home. I saw things that were concerning and was so happy and blessed that I could be there every day to oversee their care. ”

• “I see nursing homes as a place where people are neglected.”

• “I wouldn't want to be there so it makes me feel uneasy to put a loved on there. I understand sometimes there is no choice but it would be something I would struggle with deciding to do.”

• “We’ve had and still have loved ones in nursing homes. We’ve also had good and bad experiences. If I had my druthers I would choose not to subject family to some of the treatment I’ve seen with not only our loved ones but other residents. ”

WHAT WE’RE READING

SENIOR LIVING NEWS

Opening Yourself Up to Try New Things

Have you ever wanted to try something new, only to find yourself stuck in a rut?

What are the benefits of trying something new? What kinds of challenges may show up? And what kind of strategies can you initiate to overcome challenges and confidently venture into new ways of being?

• Read the Article

The Best Pension Payout Option for You

Picking the right pension payout plan can have a big impact on retirement, and unfortunately, it can also be complicated and confusing.

Key Takeaways

•Pensions can provide guaranteed income for the rest of your life, if you choose the right payout option.

•There are typically five different payout options available to retirees.

•While it may be tempting to take a lump sum, we suggest choosing an annuity distribution (monthly payments).

Read the Guide

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(Please support our sponsors — they help keep RetireHub going!)

Longevity Tip of the Day

Keep your mind energized—our brains are built to learn new things. When they don’t, things can start to go downhill. Keep trying new mental challenges, games, reading, writing, learning a new language … anything you’ve ever wanted to try, it all helps keep cognitive decline at bay.

Slang Word of the Day

Phrase: “‘Rents“

Meaning: Not the amount you’re paying a landlord each month, rather this a playful way of referring to your parents.

In a sentence: “I watched my ‘rents develop so many bad habits in their old age. Not me.“

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY

Portugal Welcomes First Wild Bison in 10,000 Years

Rewilding Europe is thrilled to announce the arrival of a small herd of bison in a large valley in Portugal.

Believed to be the key to preventing catastrophic wildfires, invasive species spread, and promoting endemic biodiversity, it’s the first time bison have been present in Portugal since the last Glacial Maximum.

…Read More

Stork That Went Extinct in the UK 600 Years Ago is Spotted in the English Skies: ‘It was a great sign’

White storks have been extinct in England for 600 years—since the time Martin Luther nailed his document of reforms on the Church wall—but they’ve been back and breeding for several years thanks to efforts to reintroduce them from other populations.

The Warsaw Zoo donated birds to the White Stork Project of southern England. They had been rescued following accidents on roads or with powerlines.

• …Read More

RETIREHUB TRIVIA

Our goal is to grow RetireHub to over 1 million members — with this, we’ll have the leverage to get even better discounts from the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and others.

To help incentivize referrals, we’re giving away 12 months of your favorite streaming service for free! Simply forward this email to a friend (and cc [email protected]) and you’ll be entered into the drawing on June 12th! (Maximum $20/month streaming service).

Each additional friend you send the email to will count as an additional entry (25 person max).