How to adapt to retirement: 6 tips
Retirement is one of the stages of life that, if they are not well managed at the beginning, can produce some forms of discomfort or even a real life crisis. In a way, it's understandable; After having spent a good part of the existence, dedicating time, resources and effort to maintaining a life project based on the fruits of one's work, it is difficult to start living beyond the professional sphere. In this article we will see Several tips on how to adapt to retirement in the best possible way , squeezing all its potential and discovering several positive aspects of this vital phase that could have gone unnoticed.
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Tips on how to adapt to retirement
Before reading further, you should bear in mind that finding satisfaction at the retirement stage does not simply consist in modifying our attitudes, customs and beliefs; In short, it does not only depend on whether we transform ourselves psychologically. It also depends on the resources to which we have access and, especially, if there is a support network, whether based on one's family or friendships.
Therefore, it should be remembered that loneliness and isolation , as well as poverty, are elements that do not depend only on oneself, but before which we can react to combat their effects. Being aware of this is useful, because it helps to understand that much of the unhappiness that some seniors feel when they retire does not have to depend on the decisions they make. That said, let's see what are the main guidelines to follow to adapt to retirement.
1. Accept what you feel
This is the first step, and it is more important than it seems. On its own it does not have to help us feel better, but it is imperative to progress . The reason for this is that not doing so would lead to a dynamic of self-sabotage from which it is difficult to leave. For example, someone who feels bad but does not admit it, will avoid thinking about medium- or long-term solutions at all costs, and will only focus on immediate objectives, which usually leads to unhealthy habits of life the long aggravate the situation.
- Maybe you're interested: "Self-acceptance: 5 psychological tips to achieve it"
2. Set schedules
One of the most frequent traps in which the newly retired people fall is to assume that retirement is just the absence of work and a large part of the responsibilities that had to be taken care of years ago. As a consequence, passivity becomes the philosophy of life: spending a lot of time in bed or on the couch, watching television, socializing little, etc.
That's why it's good to act according to the idea that retirement it is not simply something characterized by the lack of paid work , but in it there must be space for qualitative changes, things that we did not do before because we did not know them or because we did not have enough free time for it. And for this there is nothing like following certain schedules.
Of course, it is not necessary to make these hours about life in retirement very detailed; simply divide the day into blocks that serve as a reference to avoid wasting time.
3. If you have a partner, talk about it
Many of the problems arising from the transition to retirement can appear especially in married couples who have been affected by this change without having spoken before about their expectations. Your one member of the couple is retiring and the other is not yet, It is good to discuss how the relationship will change ; and if both people become retired, it is necessary to decide which part of the large amount of free time that is available will be shared and which will not.
4. Do not miss fantasizing about the past
Older people have a certain propensity to think that "they do not live in their time," that they present it belongs to younger generations. This idea may come suddenly with the beginning of retirement, but it is still false. The role of people belonging to the elderly it does not have to be limited to remember, to live from the past. The day to day also belongs to them, and it is good that their daily habits are a reflection of this.
5. Learn new things
It is always stimulating to learn in a self-taught way, and retirement is a perfect time for this.
Without having the burden of work to survive, but with the psychological maturity and cultural baggage of an elderly person It is very rewarding to start learning about any topic that is of personal interest. In fact, on the Internet there are interesting proposals that allow access to courses or free educational content.
6. Take care
Health problems can easily be transferred to the field of psychological problems linked to anxiety and stress. Therefore, it is good to practice moderate exercise, sleep well and eat well.
