Tips Offered On Avoiding Loneliness After Retirement

Many people fail to realize, until they retire, that is, just how much of their social interactions is tied to the workplace.

“Retirement can be a challenging time, especially when you live far away from your family,” author, speaker and founder of Boomerly.com Margaret Manning wrote in a recent Huffington Post article “Many people also struggle with finding new friends once they leave the jobs that have given their lives meaning for decades.

“The good news is that we don’t have to accept loneliness in retirement. There are many ways that we can reinvent our lives, while making a difference in the lives of others.”

Among the specifics offered by the writer are:

Make an Effort to Connect with People“Research shows that maintaining social connections is a critical part of healthy aging,” Manning wrote. “In fact, maintaining friendships and family ties may help to reduce the risk of dementia and other age-related illnesses.”

Search for the Meaning of (Your) Life

“What do you stand for? This is an important question, not only for your mind, but also for your body. In fact, research shows that having a sense of purpose can add years to your life. Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you’re “finished.” People over 60 still have many dreams to pursue, contributions to offer and gifts to share.”

Force Yourself to Embrace Change

“If there’s one thing that people over 60 have learned, it’s that change is constant. The good news is that it’s never too late to start over and present a fresh vision of yourself to the world. When you open your mind to change, you subconsciously attract new people, places and experiences into your life.”

Give Back Through Volunteering and Charity Work

“Loneliness in retirement often stems from a sense of detachment from the world. When we feel like we are not contributing, we have a tendency to shut ourselves away. This in turn makes us lonelier. It’s a vicious cycle that only we can break.

“One way to avoid loneliness is to share your gifts with other people. Whether you choose to volunteer at your church or support a local charity, there are a limitless number of ways to give back to the world, and the more you give back, the better you will feel.”