Whether you’re a diehard sports fan or not, athlete retirement news is a hot topic. For many athletes, the retirement announcement is the first step in their journey toward a new chapter. It’s a big change, but it’s not as difficult as it sounds.

Athletes that play professional sport often face a lot of financial strain. They may pay thousands of dollars in coaching, training and equipment costs while forgoing employment to train around the clock. Some even report relying on food stamps or running up credit card debt.

For these reasons and more, the decision to retire is an important one. For some, the transition can be emotional. For example, when Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement last week, he said that his teammates are who he will miss most.

In the past, some Olympic athletes have even gone back to competition after retiring from their sport. The most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, hung up his swimming goggles for good in 2012 but returned to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics and won six more medals.

However, it’s also important for athletes to find their identity outside of their sport. It’s important that they find ways to connect with their peers in order to keep a connection and find the motivation to stay fit. In addition, it’s beneficial for athletes to take a methodical approach to their retirement. By beginning to compete less frequently, training less intensely or giving themselves days off, they can slowly adapt to their new lifestyle.