--- title: 5 Ways Downsizing in Retirement May Help You Live Longer description: Downsizing in retirement has surprising health benefits that may help you live longer. image: https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hubfs/downsizing-featured.png --- - [Geneva Foundation](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/geneva-foundation/) - [Golf Classic](http://resources.presbyterianhomes.org/geneva-foundation-golf-classic) - [Careers](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/careers/) - [Visit Us](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/contact/) [![Presbyterian Living](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Presbyterian-Living.png?width=600&height=118&name=Presbyterian-Living.png "Presbyterian Living")](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/) - [Our Communities](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/) - [Westminster Place Enjoy active independent living at Westminster Place, one of Chicago’s most highly-regarded retirement communities on the North Shore.](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/westminster-place/) - [Lake Forest PlaceExperience luxury retirement living with the peace of mind of expert care at our country-club-like campus in one of Chicago’s premier neighborhoods.](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/lake-forest-place/) - [The MooringsLocated in the heart of Chicago’s northwest suburbs, The Moorings offers the full continuum of senior care in a charming, close-knit community setting.](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/the-moorings/) - [Ten Twenty GroveTen Twenty Grove is an ideal rental retirement community for those who enjoy an independent lifestyle in an urban setting.](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/ten-twenty-grove/) - [Why Us](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/about-us/why-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/) - [Living Here](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/senior-living-options/) - [Contact Us](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/contact/) # Presbyterian Homes Blog # 5 Ways Downsizing in Retirement May Help You Live Longer Posted by [Presbyterian Homes](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/author/presbyterian-homes) on Feb 3, 2020 3:24:05 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Learn how downsizing can help you live longer! ](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hs-fs/hubfs/downsizing-blog.png?width=750&name=downsizing-blog.png) We tend to acquire a lot of “stuff” over our lives. Often, these items have social or nostalgic significance to us, and we may find it difficult to imagine living without them. Yet, as you near retirement, those possessions that once delighted and defined you may begin to tax your strength and mental clarity. Maybe you find yourself wondering what exactly is *in* those boxes you haven’t opened in the garage for 10 years. Or perhaps that half-acre lawn you loved when you bought your house 30 years ago now makes you feel isolated. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to consider downsizing. The good news is that downsizing in your retirement isn’t just good for your peace of mind. It could also help you live longer. Here’s how: 1) **Improved mental health.** Studies have[found a relationship](https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8512528/file/8512529) between the drive to acquire more “things” and depression. The more materialistic we are – the more stuff we collect and cling to – the greater the chances that our mental health will suffer. Removing clutter and changing up or downsizing your living space can help bring about a renewed sense of optimism. 2) **Reduced stress**. It’s[well known](https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1988-30017-001) that stress can have a profound negative impact on our overall health. Many older adults find that as they age it becomes more difficult to maintain a larger home and the associated personal items. Downsizing to a smaller space and reducing the amount of stuff you have to worry about can help you breathe easier.   3) **Stronger relationships**. The more material possessions we have, the more time it takes to maintain, organize, and manage those objects. Decreasing the amount of stuff we care for means we get back time for doing things that make us truly happy - like forming and maintaining social relationships. Strong social ties have been found to[increase longevity by 50%](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/relationships-boost-survival/). 4) **Increased happiness**. Many feel a sense of relief after cleaning out closets or decluttering hobby rooms and pantries. There is[evidence](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/arranging-for-serenity/) that paring down our personal items really does have an impact on our emotions and our sense of well-being. And happy people [live longer](https://time.com/4217052/do-happy-people-really-live-longer/)!     5) **Brainpower boost**. Caring for and obsessing over objects from the past takes time and energy. Reduce the amount of mental and physical energy you expend every day managing your closet or home maintenance tasks and put it into doing things that challenge your mind and help improve memory. Traveling, enjoying new experiences, and taking up new hobbies can all have[positive effects](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/05/05/309006780/learning-a-new-skill-works-best-to-keep-your-brain-sharp) on retaining or even improving your memory.   ## Explore Worry-Free Retirement Living  Are you ready to live a healthier, less stressful life in retirement? Consider the one-bedroom apartment options here at Presbyterian Homes. Discover worry-free living in one of these unique communities: [![Lake Forest Place](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5117749/f7780ee6-7019-4330-8fe9-822abe4261a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5117749/f7780ee6-7019-4330-8fe9-822abe4261a6) [![Westminster Place](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5117749/6dbfb4ab-41a9-4e18-89c0-6d87f9d5348d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5117749/6dbfb4ab-41a9-4e18-89c0-6d87f9d5348d) [![The Moorings of Arlington Heights](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5117749/6e3b4655-f33a-40f8-8efb-f95623504959.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5117749/6e3b4655-f33a-40f8-8efb-f95623504959) ## Downsizing: Next Steps In part two of our three-part series on downsizing in your retirement, we will share a comprehensive guide to downsizing from your family home to a cozier, maintenance-free living space. This guide will help you begin your downsizing journey. Get tips on how to evaluate, prepare, and implement a plan that works for you.   Related: [Tips to Prepare for Downsizing and Selling Your Home](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tips-to-prepare-for-downsizing-and-selling-your-home) Topics: [Downsizing](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/downsizing) ### Recent Posts ### Post Filter - [Future Planning (17)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/future-planning) - [The Moorings (17)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/the-moorings) - [Lake Forest Place (15)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/lake-forest-place) - [Westminster Place - Evanston (9)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/westminster-place-evanston) - [Corporate News (6)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/corporate-news) - [Downsizing (4)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/downsizing) - [Active Living (3)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/active-living) - [Food & Nutrition (1)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/food-nutrition) - [Retirement Costs (1)](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/tag/retirement-costs) See all ### Subscribe Here! ![PH_symbol](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hubfs/PresbyterianHomes_December2018/Images/PH_symbol.jpg) Sign Up for the Latest News, Updates, Tips, and Advice Presbyterian Homes 8707 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 400 Skokie, IL 60077 Presbyterian Homes is a registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 47-1545753 [![facebook-icon](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hubfs/PresbyterianHomes_December2018/Images/facebook-logo-2.png)](https://www.facebook.com/PresbyterianHomesIL) [![twitter-icon](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hubfs/PresbyterianHomes_December2018/Images/twitter-logo.png)](https://twitter.com/presbyhomes) [![youtube-icon](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hubfs/PresbyterianHomes_December2018/Images/youtube-logo-1.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrZZBPeO9xIB1D4yshgArQ) [![equal housing](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/hubfs/PresbyterianHomes_December2018/Images/equalhousing.png)](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/) **Our Communities** [Westminster Place](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/westminster-place/) [Lake Forest Place](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/lake-forest-place/) [The Moorings](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/the-moorings/) [Ten Twenty Grove](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/our-locations/ten-twenty-grove/) **Menu** [Blog](https://blog.presbyterianhomes.org/) [Foundation](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/geneva-foundation/) [Careers](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/careers/) [Why Us](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/about-us/why-us/) [Contact Us](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/contact/) © 2019 Presbyterian Homes  | [Privacy Policy](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/privacy-policy/)   | [Sitemap](https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/sitemap/)