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Issue 32: The Retirement Buzz
The Power of Slowing Down
Retirement Dreammaker
October 12, 2025
Sometimes the best way forward is to pause. From deeper sleep to handwritten notes and birdwatching, this week we explore how slowing down brings clarity, connection, and peace.
🧩 RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
The more you take, the more you leave behind.
What am I?
The Surprising Sleep Benefits of Autumn Air
As the weather cools and the days shorten, you may notice something surprising: you’re sleeping better. And you’re not imagining it.
Studies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Harvard Medical School confirm that cooler temperatures support deeper, more restorative sleep—especially in adults over 60, who are more prone to temperature-related sleep disruptions.
The optimal sleep temperature? 60–67°F, according to the Sleep Foundation.
After retiring from 40 years in HVAC repair, Bill started sleeping with the window cracked and dimming lights after dinner.
His tip? Swap out harsh overhead lights with a salt lamp or amber-toned nightlight.
I used to toss and turn for hours. Now I fall asleep faster and wake up clear-headed. I call it my ‘mountain breeze therapy.’
Doctor-Recommended Tips:
Crack a window slightly at night to promote airflow
Power down screens an hour before bed to boost melatonin (NIH-backed)
Use soft, amber lighting in the evening (LEDs or salt lamps) to signal the brain it’s time to wind down
Why It Matters:
Better sleep = stronger immune function, lower inflammation, and improved mood regulation, especially during seasonal changes
Cooler nights may also support memory and reduce the risk of sleep-related heart strain in older adults (Cleveland Clinic, 2024)
💤 Try This Tonight: Put away your phone, open the window an inch, and swap harsh lights for a warm-toned lamp. Your brain—and your bones—will thank you.
October’s Sneaky Spending Traps to Avoid
Autumn might feel cozy, but for your wallet? It’s one of the sneakiest seasons.
A recent report by Consumer Reports (2024) found that Americans over 60 increased discretionary spending by 17% in October, driven by seasonal marketing, nostalgia, and early holiday promos.
Donna used to buy every fall-themed item that caught her eye—candles, wreaths, dish towels. Now she uses a “Fall Feels” envelope. She tracks expenses in a small notebook labeled “Intentional Joy.”
I give myself $50 for all the seasonal goodies. When it's gone, it’s gone. No guilt. No clutter.
Common Traps:
Buying candy “for trick-or-treaters” weeks in advance... and eating it yourself
Impulse fall décor at big-box stores (average spend: $124/year)
“Early Black Friday” emails that push urgency but inflate pricing
Use the “Fall Feels” envelope method (or a digital tracker like EveryDollar or Mint):
Give yourself a seasonal spending cap (ex: $75 for fun fall extras)
Track everything you spend in that category
When it’s gone—it’s gone
🧠 Bonus Tip: Wait 24 hours before making any seasonal purchase over $25. That “pumpkin-scented must-have”? It’ll still be there tomorrow. Probably on sale.
😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK
Why did the skeleton stay home from the Halloween party?
Because he had no body to go with!
How Autumn Colors Can Spark Deeper Conversation
Autumn isn’t just beautiful—it’s chemically and emotionally powerful.
Neuroscience research from the University of Essex (2023) shows that exposure to vibrant natural colors (reds, oranges, yellows) can increase:
Dopamine (pleasure & reward)
Oxytocin (empathy & connection)
Translation? Fall walks make people more emotionally open.
Every October, the Langs walk the same forest trail, hand in hand. Each time, they ask each other a question from their “leaf journal.”
Their rule: No phones, no rushing—just presence.
This year I asked: What fear are you finally ready to let go of? said Wanda. We cried under a sugar maple. That’s a good fall walk.
Take a walk with someone you care about and use seasonal symbols as conversation starters:
What’s something you’re ready to let go of?
What seed of hope or plan are you planting for the year ahead?
Even five minutes can spark a deeper connection—and a beautiful memory.
Autumn Birding: 3 Species to Spot in October
Birdwatching is more than a hobby—it’s a way to ground yourself in nature, slow down your thinking, and practice focused observation. And right now? It’s peak fall migration across North America.
According to Audubon Society data (2025), these species are easy to spot in most regions this month:
Great Horned Owl – Look for them in early evening perched on tree limbs or roof edges
White-crowned Sparrow – Common in backyards and gardens, usually seen in the early morning
Northern Pintail – Graceful ducks that frequent wetlands and shallow ponds during migration
A retired mail carrier, Walter now leads a “bird and breakfast” group at his local senior center.
He tracks sightings in a leather-bound journal his grandson gifted him.
I bring binoculars, they bring muffins. We’ve seen everything from sparrows to pintails in the wetland near town.
🎯 Bonus Tip: Many local Audubon chapters offer free birding walks, especially for seniors and beginners. Check audubon.org or your nearest wildlife refuge.
📸 Idea: Bring a notebook and sketch or write about the birds you see—it adds a mindfulness element that deepens the experience.
The Wisdom of Wind – Let It Teach You Something
Across many spiritual traditions—Native American, Celtic, Buddhist—wind represents transition, spirit, and trust.
You can’t see where the wind starts or where it ends. You can only witness how it moves through your life.
This week, try reflecting on:
What’s being “blown away” that no longer serves me?
Where is life moving me—even if I don’t fully understand it?
You don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes, all you need is a moment to stand still and feel the air shift.
After her husband passed away last fall, Eleanor began taking “wind walks” every Sunday morning.
She now hosts a small walking meditation circle in her neighborhood park.
I don’t talk. I just walk where the wind pushes me. Sometimes it’s uphill. Sometimes it’s to the bench where we used to sit. Either way, I listen.
🧘 Try This: Go outside. Stand with your feet grounded and close your
🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER
Answer: Footsteps 👣
Autumn teaches us the beauty of letting go—and the power of resting before the next big bloom.
This week, give yourself permission to slow down. Breathe deeper. Spend less. Talk longer. Let this fall become your soft landing.
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