Retirement

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    Depression After Retirement

    Mental health therapists in Broward county are familiar with the phenomenon. When someone retires, everything is good for a while. However, some retirees eventually experience depression, particularly men. These trend lines have been known for a while, although the causes can differ. You can take precautions to avoid the situational depression that might follow retirement by being aware of the risks and potential causes, as well as engaging in counseling and therapy services. Many people find that their retirement experience doesn't live up to their expectations, either emotionally or financially. The drastic change between what you thought retirement would feel like and what it actually looks like can be a shock.

    The importance of work

    You devote the most of your efforts to your careers, followed by your families. What you "do for a living" determines a large portion of your self-identity. When introducing yourself to a stranger, it's usually one of the first things you say. But what do you become when you retiret?

    For guys, this is a particularly challenging question. Men are more likely than women to experience post-retirement sadness, possibly as a result of the established acceptance of gender norms. Many people also miss the interpersonal interactions they experienced at work. There is a social environment of chat and companionship at work. Even if you only interact with them at work-related events, these connections are nonetheless vital ones that vanish all of a sudden.

    People are coming up with methods to deal with these losses, which are enhancing retirement experiences for both employees and employers. According to a research in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, those who transition to full retirement through "bridge employment" have better mental and physical health than those who retire immediately after leaving full-time employment. This idea means that you don’t entirely quit working. It could mean a part-time job, or even a full time job in a low-stress environment.

    Loss and loneliness

    Even with the best of intentions, by the time you're in your mid-60s, you may either have lost loved ones or be dealing with health problems of your own.

    Your marriage may suffer after retirement if one of you is less interested in spending time with the other than the other, and this could result in depression. During the first several years of retirement, the divorce rate often rises, leaving many people living alone. You might suffer from the following losses:

    • loss of a spouse brought on by death or divorce.
    • realizing your adult children are Involved in their own lives and don’t seem interested in a relationship
    • loss of relationships at work.
    • additionally, isolation increases the likelihood that distant family members won't recognize the loneliness spiral before it has progressed.

    What you can do to avoid depression in retirement

    The situational depression of retirement can be mitigated by making intentional changes.

    • Keep working, part time or full time in a low stress environment
    • Volunteer
    • Prioritize physical health
    • Socialize and make new friends
    • Get depression treatment in Florida
    • Learn something new

    Take charge of your retirement:

    Retirement can be a chance to pursue your dreams, even though it sometimes feels like an empty vacuum. Don't let retirement's situational depression get in the way of your goals. Reach out to a life coach in Florida to get help making the most of your retirement.