Humans are wired to be social creatures. We crave connections with others, and we need social connections and relationships. Otherwise, we can feel isolated and lonely, which affects our health. Social connections play a huge role in our overall well-being. These connections provide emotional support, help reduce stress, and may improve our physical health. Some retirees find pets can be wonderful companions, providing both company and a routine. Retirement can sometimes mean fewer daily interactions. Retirees need to find new ways to stay socially engaged. How do you stay connected with people in your retired life?
“When you understand that being connected to others is one of life’s greatest joys, you realize that life’s best comes when you initiate and invest in solid relationships.”
John C. Maxwell
Recognition plays a crucial role in our well-being as retirees. After leaving a long career where contributions were regularly acknowledged; retirees might find themselves missing validation. Acknowledgment of skills and experience gives retirees a continued sense of purpose. Recognition can motivate retirees to stay engaged in community activities, hobbies, or volunteering. Feeling valued and appreciated enhances overall happiness and emotional health. Retirees can seek recognition through various means. How do you stay recognized and appreciated?
“There are two things people want more than sex and money: recognition and praise.”
Mary Kay Ash
Loneliness can be described as a feeling or state of being. It’s more than being by yourself or without the company of others. It’s a subjective experience where a person misses companionship, understanding, or emotional support. Someone can be surrounded by people, even friends, and family, and still feel lonely because they feel disconnected. It is important to get your emotional needs met. Loneliness can impact both mental and physical health. The importance of social bonds and meaningful connections helps avoid feeling lonely. Loneliness can sometimes feel like a process of letting go. Retirees should find ways to stay socially connected and engaged to mitigate these effects.
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.”
Mother Teresa
People can experience loneliness in all different stages of life. For example, an older adult may feel lonely if they no longer have the social network they once did or they lose a partner of many years.
Some people enjoy solitude and alone time is not always negative; in fact, it can be very enriching for retirees. It can provide space to reflect or recharge and is good for mental health. You can be alone and not feel lonely. People who are alone but not lonely usually choose to have this alone time. It’s an opportunity to relax and unwind without distractions and reduce stress while improving well-being. Time alone can reinforce a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.”
Albert Einstein
Loneliness isn’t a choice; it’s a feeling that can stem from various life changes including retirement. When people retire, they often lose daily social interactions at work, which leads to feelings of isolation. Retirees need to recognize this and proactively seek out social connections. Finding a new purpose in a retired life reduces loneliness while enhancing overall well-being. It is possible to experience loneliness in the presence of others. Loneliness is also not something people choose. It’s the feeling when you aren’t getting the social connection you crave. You may feel like you’re alone, but you’re not. Loneliness is something we all feel from time to time, do your best to stay connected to friends and loved ones, don’t be afraid to meet new people, and try to grow more comfortable asking for help from a trusted individual or therapist if you need it. Remember, even if it doesn’t seem that way, people care and want to help.
