While many senior adults are looking forward to their retirement days when they can sit back and relax and just watch the days slowly pass by, the entire idea of retirement can be a little daunting.
This is because most people are so used to having a predictable life that the unpredictability after retirement can overwhelm them. Reports reveal that 9% of aging adults feel a sudden decline in their mental health within the first six years after their retirement.
However, there are plenty of ways to make your life much more meaningful and purposeful again, even after retirement. Read on to learn how volunteer work, lifelong learning, and setting goals can help you find purpose after retirement.
Is Poor Mental Health Common After Retirement?
It is very common to experience symptoms of poor mental health after retirement. This is because aging adults enter the “empty nest” stage of their lives and develop symptoms of depression and other mental health challenges. It can take time to adapt to this new lifestyle and learn to find direction and purpose again to feel fulfilled.
There’s no doubt that shifting from a well-organized and predictable day to a no-schedule day can be quite overwhelming. A study from 2020 shows that one-third of aging adults experience at least one form of depression.
Here are some reasons why retirees can feel depressed and unhappy adjusting to their new lifestyle.
- A diminished social network
- Losing a loved one or a partner
- Resentment and anger directed at themselves
- Declining health conditions
- A decline in financial certainty
- Limited mobility
- Minimized social interactions
It’s important to know that retirement isn’t the end of your life but a new beginning! You can create stronger social ties, participate in events, meet new people, and find a community, that allows you to feel like an active part of society again and find meaning and purpose.
How to Boost Your Health and Find Purpose After Retirement
Retirement should be the time when you get to do everything you ever wanted in life. This is the time when you get to take part in wholesome and fulfilling activities that fill you with life and ensure you’re feeling full of purpose and have a sense of direction.
Read on to learn how to make retirement more enjoyable.
Develop Healthy Habits
Many people believe that the post-retirement days should just be filled with rest and nothing else. While you should take as much time as you need to rest but staying active is important to maintain your physical and mental health. According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Service’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, aging adults aged 65 and above should get at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity physical activity in a week.
Make sure you spend plenty of time getting physical activity, like going out for a walk around the block, doing yoga, water aerobics, or any other sport that you really enjoy.
Start a New Business
Did you know older adults make up 41% of franchise owners and small business owners? It’s never too late to start a new business and make more money!
You can start by evaluating business startup costs, making a business plan draft, and estimating all potential expenses.
Find a New Hobby
What better time to find a new hobby than retirement? Even if you’re no longer a part of the workforce, retirement is the perfect time to discover a new passion and invest time in projects you always wanted to start but never got the time to.
You can take up gardening, learn to play a new instrument, draw landscapes, take art lessons, or learn archery. Some studies show that spending time engaged in hobbies later in life is associated with decreased mortality risk.
Volunteer with a Non-Profit
One of the best ways to beat the retirement blues is by taking the time out of your day to help other people by volunteering.
You can sign up to volunteer with a non-profit organization and take part in meaningful activities to stay connected with a community and make new connections.
Find a New Home in an Assisted Living Community
Many aging adults that have lost a partner or feel overwhelmed living by themselves should consider finding a reliable and helpful assisted living community where they restart their life and find meaning again.
These communities are designed to help aging adults live a more comfortable life and provide impressive landscapes, luxurious amenities, and high-quality care for an improved quality of life.
If you’ve been on the lookout for an independent senior living option in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Iowa, and Pennsylvania , let our experts at Next Level Senior Advisors help.
We have over a decade of experience helping seniors and families looking for suitable memory care communities in Lubbock and other areas nearby.
Just drop us a message and leave the rest to us! Reach out to us now to book a consultation.
