The Spiritual Side of Retirement
Deciding to stop working means you are going to have a significant shift in your life. As we get older our priorities change, and the things we want to spend time on become even more important.
With age comes life experience and wisdom, but also there might be some regret. Retirement doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. Finding peace and tranquillity is something that we all search for and your retirement certainly should be full of those things.
In his book “Independence Day: What I Learned About Retirement from Some Who’ve Done It and Some Who Never Will.” Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times columnist, and four-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, talked to dozens of older adults to find out how they felt about retirement.
Some of the most significant takeaways from this very interesting work are how people adapted to their retirement. You’re planning for your future when you are planning for your retirement and it is impossible to know exactly what the future is going to hold. At some point, you may have to make some new decisions or alter the way you do things but ultimately you have to adapt.
“Being able to enjoy your retirement means that you will find a more spiritual side to life rather than concentrating on the daily grind.” says Richard Eden Senior Vice President of David Lerner Associates, “Being prepared and having great advice puts you in the driving seat for your retirement rather than worrying about unforeseen emergencies.”
Stress, Retirement, and Mental Health
As wonderful as retirement sounds the loss of a routine and sense of purpose could lead you to experience symptoms of depression. This is often the case if you experience the loss of a spouse, live on your own, have health challenges, or have financial strain.
Some retirees lose their spouses within a few years of retiring and are suddenly faced with many years to spend on their own figuring out what they want to do. Your retirement is the rest of your life and that will be full of surprises. Retirement is how you adapt to the surprises that will ultimately dictate how your retirement years will be spent.
The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a national cohort study of US adults older than 50 years and has shown that having a purpose in life is associated with decreased mortality rates. Having a purpose gives you better health and better mental health as well. Finding a spiritual side of retirement will help you get through your later years no matter what instead of spending your time worrying.
Financial Stress in Retirement
Several studies have shown a definite link between financial worries and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Financial problems can take a huge toll on your mental and physical health, your relationships, and your overall.
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