The Link Between Retirement And Depression
You spend your whole life working, dreaming about being able to retire comfortably and enjoy your free time away from the daily grind. Retirement has plenty of perks, and gives you opportunities you might have never had while pursuing a lifelong career.
So, why do so many people struggle with unhappiness and depression after retirement?
Maybe you’re asking yourself that same question if you recently retired — why aren’t you happier?
It turns out, there’s a closer link between retirement and depression than you might think. Understanding the connection can help you navigate these waters and make the most of this chapter of your life.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
There’s a lot of excitement that often surrounds retirement. Maybe they threw a party for you at work. Maybe your family had their own celebration. You’ve probably made plans to sleep in, take a vacation, or hit the golf course every day.
Unfortunately, that excitement eventually wears off. You might be living on the high of retirement for a few weeks or even a few months. It’s nice to sleep in. It’s nice to have the freedom to do what you want, when you want. But, when it all becomes part of the routine, you might find yourself feeling let down and bored.
You might even start wondering if you still have a purpose. When you work every day you know you’re contributing something to the world. Even if you’re still doing that in different ways, it’s not always easy to see, and you might start questioning your sense of self-worth.
Increased Loneliness
As people get older, the risk of loneliness increases. That can lead to a variety of mental and physical health issues, including depression and an increased mortality rate.
The loneliness and isolation that sometimes come with retirement can not only be damaging to your mental health, but they can also be extremely disappointing, depending on your expectations. Many people believe that they’ll spend more time with family and friends after retiring, but that isn’t always the case.
Other people still have lives. Kids are in school, and grown children are working. Friends and family members might have busy schedules or live far away. If you’re an empty nester with nothing but time on your hands, retirement can be extremely lonely and can leave you feeling both helpless and hopeless.
Thinking About the Future
Retirement is something most people look forward to as a major life transition, but the more you think about it, the more you start to realize that it’s probably one of the last big life transitions you’ll ever make.
While thinking about the future is fun, retirement can make you realize that you’re getting older, and can leave you questioning how much time you might have left. Thinking about your mortality can not only lead to depression, but also anxiety.
What Can You Do?
If you recently retired and you’re already struggling with some of the effects of depression, it’s never too late to take charge of your mental health:
First, practice self-care: make sure you’re getting enough sleep, staying active, and eating a healthy diet.
Be as social as possible to avoid those feelings of isolation. Even if you can’t meet with people in person, don’t hesitate to call your loved ones or schedule weekly video chats.
Find things that interest you and don’t be afraid to try something new. You might discover a passion or hobby that was never there before to give you a sense of purpose and something to look forward to.
Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help if you’re really struggling. Therapy is a great way to understand your emotions, work through them, and find meaning in your life at every stage.
Reach out to us today for more help with navigating this life transitions counseling.
