Today we are going to begin talking about retirement as a blessing:
“Retirement: a time to enjoy all the things you never had time to do when you worked.” (Catherine Pulisfer.)
We will also talk about retirement as a curse:
“The trouble with retirement is you never get the day off.” (Abe Lemons.)
Our careers provide structure to our lives five days a week, and weekends can be consumed by chores and rest. The cycle starts all over again Monday morning. But once you leave your job for good, there’s suddenly a lot of time to fill. Have you truly thought through how you will fill that time in retirement?
“Retire from work, but not from life.” M.K. Soni
Have you found retirement a blessing, a curse or both? Did your retirement plan include a plan for your free time?
Staying Social in Retirement
Today let’s talk about staying social in retirement. When we retire, we lose about half of our social network. So as our social pool evaporates, it’s difficult to replenish, because options may be limited or we’re not motivated enough to meet new people.
Maintaining an active social life gets harder with age. Little by little people we were close to move away or pass away. Have you noticed that friends and family that you have known, seem to be less fun and often times aggravating?
Psychologist William von Hippelhat argues that “the filtering part of our brain, which inhibits inappropriate or negative thoughts, gradually weakens. Without that filter, the idiosyncrasies and eccentricities of others we’ve tolerated in the past become more annoying.”
For our own well being, It is important to acknowledge this tendency toward eccentricity does happen. You probably have known people whose filter has shut down. By being aware, we can work on keeping an open mind, being patient and understanding of others and not let our less-tolerating brains take over.
Benefits of Staying Social in Retirement
Why is it important to remain social. Why take the trouble? By staying socially connected you contribute to your well being. A good social life can contribute to that important reason of why you should get out of bed, it gives meaning to your life and being appreciated by friends helps your self esteem. We have someone to do things with and it feels like we belong somewhere. Having a social life and people you can count on make it easier to handle difficulties and stress.
In contrast, social isolation is as high a health risk factor. It can be responsible for low self-esteem, and depression. Those who are socially disconnected are at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, a break down of cognition, a loss of walking, climbing or getting up and down from seated position.
How to Stay Social
How do you maintain a healthy social life? It’s all about people and the time spent with them. Thee diversity of the circle and the activities. Balance is important – a social life that includes equal parts family and friends, equal parts giving and receiving and equal parts learning and teaching.
Try to meet up with current friends regularly, even the annoying ones. Be supportive and nurture these friends. Become computer savvy if you aren’t and track down old friends from your past.
It’s important to keep in touch with your family and interested in children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Acknowledge new family additions and support family members who lose a loved one. Family is often our first kind of support.
You can join clubs that support your hobby or you can start one. Set up a club on an interest you have like hiking, wine tasting, books, traveling, movies, plays or concerts. Doing this not only keeps you social, but you can meet new people that share your interest. An excellent opportunity to learn or to teach. Do it for yourself. Do it for your health. Set a goal. Make a plan.
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