However, experts say that there's another very important part of retirement that doesn't get enough attention: Retirement shock. This is the name for the experience many retirees have when they finally leave the workforce and face the physical, emotional, and social changes that come with it. Fortunately, these psychologists say that you can counter the effects of retirement shock by making a few lifestyle tweaks.
One of the things that keeps us healthy as humans is having meaningful things to do in our day, according to Dr. Owen Muir, a Dual Board-Certified Psychiatrist with Radial, who says that retirement is often the opposite of this. "Retirement shock is a way to describe both the human experience of having everything that organized your life pulled away all at once, and sometimes the shock serves as the stressor that leads many of my patients to slip into depression or other psychiatric disorders."
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How to Prepare for 'Retirement Shock'
Fortunately, you can manage your retirement shock with the right preparation. The first step in preparing for retirement shock is ensuring you're ready to retire, according to Dr. Muir. "One of the most important things is to not rush into retirement because that's what everybody is supposed to do," he says, noting that you should consider what the structure of work provides in your life, and if there's some other version of that structure that you'd like to continue to experience. Dr. Muir says that for many people, continuing to have some version of that work structure can be tremendously helpful. "Many older adults find a job they simply enjoy, or work in the volunteer sector, to keep that structure and purpose in their life."
"You can think now about what brings you joy and a sense of mattering," she continues, noting that she has a three-step suggestion that you can use right now to deal with retirement shock, and she says it involves asking yourself questions like:
How do you want to spend your time aside from leisure activities? How can you give back to others? What have you always wanted to try or want to get better at but never had time for?Once you have those answers, you may be able to find a way to deal with the loss of your work identity. Of course, it's important not to beat yourself up if you're experiencing retirement shock. As Dr. Muir said, we do view retirement as a uniquely positive time in this country, because many people find themselves with so much free time. However, retirement shock is a very real condition that can impact anyone, according to these experts, so there's no shame in feeling disappointment after your career ends.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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