Yes, Retirement Can Be Stressful
Retirement is up near the top of the list of stressful situations believe it or not
Most people think stress-causing situations mostly stem from problems in the workplace. Besides work, they also think finances or family issues or health problems cause a lot of stress. While it is true that these situations can all be stressful, another circumstance that can lead to stress is retirement.
For those who haven’t done it yet, retirement is that big shiny pot of gold at the end of the 9 to 5 rainbow.
Retiring will solve all your problems and you’ll relax with umbrella drinks on a beach somewhere.
In reality, retirement for most is quite different.
Retiring from a long life of working is a huge lifestyle change, however good, and any lifestyle changes can be stressful until you’ve adjusted. Stopping your work routine means you are stopping the daily routines you’ve followed for years. You may feel a little lost until you’ve established some new routines.
Another area that changes with retirement is that of your social support system. No longer are you chatting with your work colleagues, trading stories and sympathy for each other’s problems. Once retired, these social ties are gone.
Before retiring its a good time to build and cement relationships with those outside the job who will be there once you retire.
After you leave your job you do have freedom to do what you want, but with this new-found freedom you also have big decisions to make… should you downsize your home, move to another area, buy a holiday home on sunny shores, sell all and travel full time in a motor home, or try a retirement community?
Big decisions like these can be stressful for anyone.
Finance
Financial issues can certainly cause stress at anytime in one’s life, but even more so when you’re retired and on a fixed income. Questions regarding whether you will outlive your money, can you afford what you want to do, and the recession loom larger than ever.
Health
Another stressful concern in retirement is health issues. We worry about our future and our own health as well as how to cope with a spouse or friend’s failing health. Others worry about becoming disabled, having Alzheimer’s, or needing a nursing home.
Stress In Retirement
There are many ways to cope with stress in retirement. Before you can deal with any stress you may be having, you need to identify the source. What is causing it?
** If you’re watching or reading too much doom and gloom news, then limit your exposure and take up other activities like your favorite hobby or getting some exercise.
**If you’re worried about your finances, see a financial planner and educate yourself. A planner can either give you a pat on the back about your finances or suggest a plan to help set things right. Just putting your questions to rest and knowing what’s going on with your investments can be a huge relief.
**Keep in mind that even though a change of residence is a major decision, it’s not permanent. If you find you don’t really like living on the golf course because you don’t play golf, or that moving somewhere else doesn’t really suit you, you can change your mind.
**As far as the big change in your day to day life, the stress you feel is probably temporary until your new routines begin to feel like old routines.
**Don’t forget to make exercise a part of your new routine.
**Take time out to have the fun you imagined you would have once you retired from work and if that includes sipping umbrella drinks on the beach… then do it and travel more. You might enjoy this article on retirement as well Click here to see it
If you enjoyed todays post Retirement Can Be Stressful please join the conversation below and leave me a comment. Your views matter and its good to hear from you. Feel free to share this article with anyone who would benefit.
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I resemble this post… what a great article Lynda… thanks for sharing… I’m hitting 63 so retirement is around the corner… :)
Thanks Ron. I already hit retirement some time ago and went through a lot of the feelings I describe. Its good to be prepared.
Thanks Lynda. Great tips on handling retirement.
Thank you Jenni, its good to be prepared and the reality can be different to what we think sometimes
Great Post Lynda! I have a while before I hit retirement age.
Thank you Artreice. You never know, you are going to be successful with what you are doing so you may retire much earlier than you think.
I love this!! I have friends that I worked with in a NYC prison system back in the 90’s who are retiring now, and they are scared to death of it. So many of them are planning a 2nd career at a job to avoid being truly retired. This is why it is so important to offer a Network Business opportunity to everyone so that they will have something better than a 2nd career at a job to look forward to. GREAT SUBJECT!!
I can so relate Gary. When I first stepped down from my career it conjured up feelings I never thought I would have. It can be such a mixture of emotions. I will probably write more in the future about it.
Thank you so much for your support and comments
Hey Lynda great post and some interesting things to think about…..thanks for sharing :)
You welcome Joan and thanks so much for commenting.