What is the phenomenon known as the 'retirement curse,' and how to avoid it

According to his team's research, the mental health of the average American declines by 6 to 9% around five years after retirement. Additionally, there is a 5 to 6% increase in illness condition and a 5 to 16% increase in difficulties with daily activities. These changes are attributed to the significant lifestyle adjustments.

4 / 30 Fotos

Harmful to the economy -

Government healthcare programs take a hit when there are an increase of chronic medical conditions needing treatment, especially as baby boomers continue to retire in large numbers.

5 / 30 Fotos

But retirement isn't the end -

The curse resides in the shift that occurs from work to retirement, influencing your actions and impacting your overall well-being. How you handle this transition is crucial.

6 / 30 Fotos

We stick to familiar routines -

After building a lifelong habit of going to work five days a week, we have to be prepared and know how to create new habits, or else we will suffer.

7 / 30 Fotos

Loneliness can be toxic -

Studies have shown that social isolation, especially the unwelcome sensation of loneliness, can have an adverse influence on our longevity, comparable to the harmful consequences of smoking.

8 / 30 Fotos

Preventing the curse step-by-step -

When considering your retirement financially, also consider planning for an active and socially involved lifestyle at the same time.

9 / 30 Fotos

Ease into it gradually -

Transitioning from full-time work to not working at all can be a sudden and unsettling change for some individuals. Instead, it's advisable to gradually reduce your workload and gradually find other activities to occupy your time.

10 / 30 Fotos

The same applies to eating habits as well -

The importance of food in our lives is frequently underestimated. Transitioning from a routine of three meals and snacks at work to a schedule of breakfast at noon and evening snacks can disrupt both our physical and mental well-being.

11 / 30 Fotos

Social help -

Having regular interactions with close ones – whether they be a partner, family members, or a group of friends – is crucial.

12 / 30 Fotos

If you are in a relationship, get ready for it jointly -

When transitioning into retirement, it is important to address potential challenges in your relationship. Increased free time can lead to more arguments, so it is advisable to have open conversations with your partner regarding boundaries and emotions.

13 / 30 Fotos

How about adopting a four-legged friend? -

Having a pet is often seen as a cliché, but it is effective. It means having a companion and taking care of another life. An even better idea is to consider fostering a dog!

14 / 30 Fotos

A workout routine -

The impact of reduced physical activity during retirement is often overlooked as a significant contributor to illness. Consider joining fitness classes or enrolling at a gym if you struggle with self-motivation to exercise at home!

15 / 30 Fotos

Part-time employment -

If you're a senior looking for additional income or an activity, there are numerous establishments that are hiring. Consider becoming a barista!

16 / 30 Fotos

Make use of your skills -

With years of experience, you have the opportunity to become a consultant in your field and enjoy flexible working hours.

17 / 30 Fotos

Volunteer -

Health experts suggest giving back to the community as a solution to counter the adverse impacts of retirement, fostering an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

18 / 30 Fotos

Return to your studies -

Gaining new skills or simply exploring unexplored topics is a great method to maintain youthfulness and a thirst for knowledge. Additionally, seniors can take advantage of complimentary entry to educational institutions.

19 / 30 Fotos

Restricting your options -

Feeling overwhelmed by an abundance of options is a shared experience. Establishing some boundaries, like differentiating weekdays from weekends, can provide structure and alleviate the unease that comes with newfound freedom.

20 / 30 Fotos

But what about returning to work? -

"Unretirement" is gaining popularity as people feel disoriented and lost in a world that prioritizes their own needs, leaving them searching for a new sense of purpose.

21 / 30 Fotos

Unretirement -

A survey conducted by RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research firm, in 2017 revealed that nearly 40% of workers above the age of 65 had previously retired at some time.

22 / 30 Fotos

It has some benefits -

Retirees yearned for a sense of meaning, an outlet for their minds, and a means of social interaction. While the money was appreciated, it was not considered a primary motivator.

23 / 30 Fotos

The curse of unretirement -

However, retirement presents an opportunity to live with intention, discover a new purpose, and select individuals you engage with meaningfully, rather than being obliged to form connections with colleagues solely based on work.

24 / 30 Fotos

It may be frightening, yet freeing -

As a retiree, it is up to you to discover social opportunities, define your purpose, and prioritize self-care. This proactive mindset may feel unfamiliar at first after years of being employed.

25 / 30 Fotos

Greater financial readiness than you think -

One issue with retirement is that some individuals have only enough funds to sustain themselves. However, it is recommended to delay retirement until you possess sufficient resources to flourish. You don't want to wait your whole life for an anticlimactic second-half.

26 / 30 Fotos

Have someone rely on you -

It is not easy to unlearn the feeling of being needed. Whether it's taking care of a partner, babysitting, playing poker with friends, or gardening, it is important to maintain a sense of purpose in these activities.

27 / 30 Fotos

Don't delay your travel plans -

Prevent delays caused by health problems, expensive insurance, and financial constraints, as well as the lingering disappointment of unrealized potential, by promptly setting your travel plans in motion.

28 / 30 Fotos

Release the past -

It’s hard to set up a healthy future if you haven’t made peace with your past work life. Accept that you did all you could in your old job, and focus on your next task.

29 / 30 Fotos

0 / 30 Fotos

Expectation -

Shutterstock

1 / 30 Fotos

Truth -

Serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, and mental illness can disrupt retirement dreams. Surprisingly, retirement itself could be the cause of these issues.

Shutterstock

2 / 30 Fotos

'Retirement curse' -

Shutterstock

3 / 30 Fotos

Physical and mental health diminish -

Shutterstock

4 / 30 Fotos

Harmful to the economy -

Government healthcare programs take a hit when there are an increase of chronic medical conditions needing treatment, especially as baby boomers continue to retire in large numbers.

Shutterstock

5 / 30 Fotos

But retirement isn't the end -

The curse resides in the shift that occurs from work to retirement, influencing your actions and impacting your overall well-being. How you handle this transition is crucial.

Shutterstock

6 / 30 Fotos

We stick to familiar routines -

After building a lifelong habit of going to work five days a week, we have to be prepared and know how to create new habits, or else we will suffer.

Shutterstock

7 / 30 Fotos

Loneliness can be toxic -

Studies have shown that social isolation, especially the unwelcome sensation of loneliness, can have an adverse influence on our longevity, comparable to the harmful consequences of smoking.

Shutterstock

8 / 30 Fotos

Preventing the curse step-by-step -

When considering your retirement financially, also consider planning for an active and socially involved lifestyle at the same time.

Shutterstock

9 / 30 Fotos

Ease into it gradually -

Shutterstock

10 / 30 Fotos

The same applies to eating habits as well -

Shutterstock

11 / 30 Fotos

Social help -

Having regular interactions with close ones – whether they be a partner, family members, or a group of friends – is crucial.

Shutterstock

12 / 30 Fotos

If you are in a relationship, get ready for it jointly -

Shutterstock

13 / 30 Fotos

How about adopting a four-legged friend? -

Having a pet is often seen as a cliché, but it is effective. It means having a companion and taking care of another life. An even better idea is to consider fostering a dog!

Shutterstock

14 / 30 Fotos

A workout routine -

Shutterstock

15 / 30 Fotos

Part-time employment -

If you're a senior looking for additional income or an activity, there are numerous establishments that are hiring. Consider becoming a barista!

Shutterstock

16 / 30 Fotos

Make use of your skills -

With years of experience, you have the opportunity to become a consultant in your field and enjoy flexible working hours.

Shutterstock

17 / 30 Fotos

Volunteer -

Health experts suggest giving back to the community as a solution to counter the adverse impacts of retirement, fostering an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

Shutterstock

18 / 30 Fotos

Return to your studies -

Shutterstock

19 / 30 Fotos

Restricting your options -

Shutterstock

20 / 30 Fotos

But what about returning to work? -

"Unretirement" is gaining popularity as people feel disoriented and lost in a world that prioritizes their own needs, leaving them searching for a new sense of purpose.

Shutterstock

21 / 30 Fotos

Unretirement -

A survey conducted by RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research firm, in 2017 revealed that nearly 40% of workers above the age of 65 had previously retired at some time.

Shutterstock

22 / 30 Fotos

It has some benefits -

Retirees yearned for a sense of meaning, an outlet for their minds, and a means of social interaction. While the money was appreciated, it was not considered a primary motivator.

Shutterstock

23 / 30 Fotos

The curse of unretirement -

Shutterstock

24 / 30 Fotos

It may be frightening, yet freeing -

As a retiree, it is up to you to discover social opportunities, define your purpose, and prioritize self-care. This proactive mindset may feel unfamiliar at first after years of being employed.

Shutterstock

25 / 30 Fotos

Greater financial readiness than you think -

Shutterstock

26 / 30 Fotos

Have someone rely on you -

Shutterstock

27 / 30 Fotos

Don't delay your travel plans -

Shutterstock

28 / 30 Fotos

Release the past -

It’s hard to set up a healthy future if you haven’t made peace with your past work life. Accept that you did all you could in your old job, and focus on your next task.

Shutterstock

29 / 30 Fotos

What is the phenomenon known as the 'retirement curse,' and how to avoid it

Don't fall into the same trap

14/09/23 | Ana Lucia Gomes

LIFESTYLE Healthy living

Society has a strange relationship with

growing older, loaded with false expectations and somewhat backward logic. Many of us will work through our best physical years, grow completely used to being instructed what to do, then when you are a little more tired than before and likely more ready to sit for longer periods, you’re given all this free time and an allowance for fun. It’s supposed to be this incredible gift we give ourselves, but studies are showing it's turning out to be more of a curse than a blessing if you don't do it right.

Click through to learn about what the "retirement curse" is, how it might affect you, and how you can take concrete steps to avoid it.