What Is Retirement Depression?
Many retirees believe their lives are as good as or better than when they were working. However, a Nationwide Retirement Institute (NRI) study shows that 28 percent of recently retired people believe their lives are worse now than they were before retirement.
Various surveys show different levels of happiness and life satisfaction in retirees. Their results show that the different retirement happiness levels mostly come from health issues and financial concerns.
What Causes Depression After Retirement?
Many people associate retirement with the loss of a sense of purpose. This is because most of us associate our identity with what we do for a living. We want to provide for our families and contribute to our communities and society. Our professional lives allow us to do that. Therefore, retirement may represent a loss of usefulness, triggering depression, self-esteem issues, and anxiety.
Difficulties with the Transition from Work to Retirement
Some people may struggle to adjust to a more relaxed retirement mode, especially in the first months of retirement. You may find it challenging to fill your time with meaningful activities, feeling useless and bored.
People find it difficult to adjust to the losses that come with retirement, such as work-related relationships, reputation, or financial freedom. Thus, retirement for some individuals can be overwhelming, causing retirement depression.
A Lack of Social Interaction
Many people see working as emotionally rewarding because it allows them to meet new people, socialize, and participate in various social activities. As a result, retirement is associated with the loss of some or all of these opportunities, triggering depression for some people.
The Fear of Aging
Some individuals may struggle to accept their aging. They see retirement as a reminder that they are growing older. These thoughts can make a person afraid of illness, disability, and death, making them feel hopeless, helpless, and sad.
Risk Factors for Retirement Depression
Some factors can increase your risk of developing retirement depression. For example, you are more likely to get retirement depression if you live alone, have lost your spouse, feel isolated and lonely, or have health problems.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
While depression is a serious condition, it is also treatable. So, it's important to know the signs of depression early on to get the appropriate treatment and deal with your symptoms.
Depression involves a variety of emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms such as:
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness most of the time
Chronic anxiety
Feelings of guilt and shame
Self-loathing
Attention difficulties
Forgetfulness
Reduced ability to concentrate and think
Automatic negative thoughts
Suicidal ideation
Lack of energy
Low libido
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Pains and aches with no apparent physical cause
Lack of interest and pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy
How to Overcome Retirement Depression
The most effective treatments for depression are psychotherapy and medication. If your symptoms interfere with your everyday life, emotions, or relationships, speak with your doctor. There are, however, certain self-help practices that might help you manage your symptoms and feel better.
Find a Hobby
To reduce your retirement depression, engage in enjoyable hobbies. Hobbies, according to research, may reduce stress, help you relax, improve your mood, and enhance your sense of well-being. Hobbies can also assist you in meeting new people and developing a sense of purpose and belonging.
Stay Connected
Maintain an active lifestyle and socialize with friends and family. Friendships later in life can benefit your health, emotions, and overall well-being.
Research shows that friendships can improve physical and mental health, boost your mood, and provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Practice Mindfulness
Practice mindfulness meditation to help you stay focused on the present moment and identify negative thoughts that trigger anxiety and depression. Mindfulness allows you to observe, without judgment, your thoughts as they emerge in your conscious mind and then let them go.
Mindfulness can help you stop worrying about getting older, improve your mood, lessen the effects of anxiety and depression, and make you feel more hopeful.
Stay Active
Being retired does not mean you should stop being active. Physical activity on a regular basis may provide a distraction from negative thoughts, improve your mood, and provide an opportunity to meet new people.
Pilates, swimming, walking, dancing, and gardening are great ways to maintain physical activity as you age.
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