For those about to or contemplating retirement, there’s no shortage of advice, so I won’t be the first one to warn you that the end of a lifelong routine can take some getting used to – or worse.
If you’ve already retired you may be nodding in agreement. It’s well known and studied endlessly, when you stop working it can change brain health, as well as pose a risk of cognitive decline and depression.
Kidding! Not really kidding though. When you stop using your brain to create, communicate and socialize with fellow workers, it’s an abrupt change to the entire pattern of your life. You cannot assume the transition will be a piece of cake.
Studies of retirees find that their verbal memory (recalling a set of words after a certain amount of time) declined faster post-retirement compared to when they were working. I can vouch for that effect when I’m unable to come up with a name or a term that used to be top of mind.
Experts believe the key is having a plan, and they don’t mean taking a long vacation on an island and then coming home to figure it out. In fact, they recommend setting up your plan while you are still working so that you can dive right into retirement on day one. You want to pivot directly into the new lifestyle, not wallow in some rudderless state.
Volunteer work and staying social is key according to experts. If social contact declines the chance for depression onset increases. Trying new activities and acquiring new skills can stave off the isolation that can set in when you don’t have a workplace anymore.
It sounds counterintuitive to say retirement is work, but if you don’t have a plan for how to use your free time and stay engaged with a community, your brain is just not going to find life very challenging or rewarding. After working for 50 years or more, that would be borderline tragic.
Jay Harrison is a writer and creative consultant for DesignConcept. His most recent mystery novel, Rio Puerco Demise is available on Amazon. His first mystery novel, Head Above Water, is also available on Amazon. But that’s not all. You can also purchase the Best of BoomSpeak on Amazon.
