Youve likely thought a lot about how youll enjoy your golden years.
But theres a good chance you never thought much about the psychological effect retirement might have on you.
Retirement often means a loss of identity.
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Other issues accompanying retirementsuch as more time and less moneycan also make for a difficult adjustment.
Some retirees experience mental health issues, such asdepressionandanxiety, after they’ve stopped working.
Many retirees find the transition can be difficult.
At first, theres a feeling of freedom.
Its like youre on a vacation that will last forever.
However, that sense of novelty wears off, and you will settle into a slower lifestyle.
There might be a stage involving many “Oh, no!
What did I do?”
thoughts, followed by anxiety and boredom.
You might even feel guilty for not enjoying retirement as much as you think you should.
Suppressing your emotions or denying your feelings can lead to unhealthy coping strategieslikerelying on alcoholor food.
Look for healthy ways to deal with those feelings.
You might find walking, reading, writing, talking to others, oryogahelps you deal with your emotions.
If you thrive with a schedule, you might establish a retirement routine that helps you plan your days.
Experiment with various activities and time slots to see how it makes you feel.
Working on goals can give you a sense of purpose.Accomplishing new things can give you a sense of achievement.
Do you want to lose 10 pounds?
(Yes, goals can be fun, too!)
Finish five books that youve been putting off?
The skys the limit.
Meetup groups are also available for many hobbies and activities.
Create a New Budget
Even the best savers might have to make some spending adjustments after retirement.
Figure out what you need in your new post-career life and what you don’t.
Establish a budget to help you see how much money you have for entertainment or fun.
You might learn you need a part-time job so you could go on an annual vacation.
Schedule Volunteer Shifts
Not willing to go back to the office grind?
You might find youd rather reap the same benefits by volunteering on a regular basis.
After 30 years in the workplace, you finally have time to experiment with what you really want.
There are many different ways you’ve got the option to spend your time.
And fortunately, theres no need to figure it all out right away.
The joy of retirement is that youll have plenty of opportunities to experiment.
Its up to you to design the throw in of dayand kind of lifethat you want to live.
Talk to your doctor or mental health professional, and consider joining a support group for retirees.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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2017;148:13-18. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2017.02.021
Arlinghaus KR, Johnston CA.The importance of creating habits and routine.Am J Lifestyle Med.
2018;13(2):142144. doi:10.1177/1559827618818044
Barker P.Setting achievable goals.Vet Rec.
