The Effects of Retirement

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Retirement is supposed to be a wonderful milestone in the life of someone who has spent many years working and contributing to the society in which she lives. However, for many, retirement can be confusing, unsettling and downright depressing, particularly if she doesn't know what to expect. Preparation is key to ensuring that your retirement years are as full of life and joy as the years spent pursuing your career.

1 Mental Anguish

One of the most profound effects of retirement is the mental anguish you might feel unexpectedly. After all, going from working full-time and chasing your career goals to facing days full of unknown tasks and expectations is daunting for many retirees. They end up feeling empty, depressed, confused and misunderstood.

2 Defiance

You might find that one of the first things you feel upon retirement is defiance against the routine that you've followed for many years. You get up late in the morning, stay in your pajamas all day, watch bad daytime TV, stay up late at night and generally buck the system, which has seen you get up every morning and dress for work for many years.

3 Restlessness

You may find, upon retirement, that you feel restless and ready to pursue an entirely new career opportunity. This is not uncommon as many retirees go on to have very full second careers once their first is complete.

4 Stress

Life change of any kind causes some stress, and retirement is no different. Many seniors report feeling stressed about the lack of direction they have for their lives upon retirement.

5 Health

When it comes to retirement, your health will either improve greatly or deteriorate, depending on how you feel about retiring. Some seniors find that their health deteriorates quickly, resulting from their mental anguish over retirement; others find that with more time to pay attention to their physical person, they have time to take care of themselves and are in the best shape of their lives.

Lynda Moultry Belcher is a writer, editor and public relations professional. She worked for a daily newspaper for 10 years and has been a freelance writer for more than 15 years. She has contributed to Divorce360 and Revolution Health Group, among other publications. She is also the author of "101 Plus-Size Women's Clothing Tips" and writes "Style At Any Size," a bi-weekly newspaper column.

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