Retirement often sounds like a positive prospect until it's just a year or two away. You might start to feel anxious as this major life transition looms just ahead. This feeling is normal, but it can interfere with your everyday enjoyment if you let it continue. You can find ways to relieve your worry and find meaning in this new life phase.
Definition
Anxiety is a normal feeling triggered by difficult or intimidating situations, the Help Guide website explains. The mind and body gear up to handle the pressure. Anxiety is usually linked to something immediate, like a family conflict, a meeting with the boss or having to find an unfamiliar destination. It can also be caused by a future situation, like pending retirement. Change makes many people uncomfortable. Retirement marks a major life transition from the working world to leisure and altered finances.
Time Frame
Retirement anxiety often starts a year or two before you actually leave your job. The initial anxiety is triggered by the idea of leaving your employer, especially if you've worked at the same place for many years. You may also feel nervous about your finances if your income will be sharply cut after retirement. A survey by the financial firm Merrill Lynch identified money as a top concern. The stress will continue through your actual retirement date and the adjustment period afterward.
Causes
Retirement anxiety has many causes in addition to leaving a long-time job and having an income cut. You may worry about existing or future health problems and how to occupy your extra time. The Help Guide website states you may also feel depressed about your age and a feeling that most of your life is over. You may lack a sense of purpose that makes it more difficult to find new ways to fill your days. Your motivation may be sapped because you no longer have to adhere to a work schedule.
Symptoms
Retirement anxiety has many physical and emotional symptoms, the Help Guide website explains. You will feel a continual sense of dread as your final work day approaches. You will have trouble concentrating because your mind will keep focusing on worry about your future. You'll feel restless and jumpy, and you may focus on worst-case scenarios, like failing health, being unable to afford your bills or losing your spouse. Physically, you'll be keyed up. You might have tense muscles and an upset stomach. You may also experience headaches and tremors. You'll have insomnia and feel fatigued due to the lack of rest.
Solution
Retirees can fight anxiety by finding meaningful things to do. Become a volunteer for a worthwhile cause, take a class or sign up for lessons to learn a new activity. An Allstate Study identified popular options like travel, gardening, fishing, home improvement and exercising. Get a part-time job if your anxiety is triggered by both boredom and financial worries. You can come up with ideas and plans in the year before you actually stop working. This will provide a useful channel for your anxiety.
Talk to your doctor about counseling or medication if self-help does not sufficiently relieve your anxious feelings, the Help Guide recommends. Talk therapy provides a safe outlet in which to vent your feelings and explore possible solutions. Medication relieves physical and emotional symptoms.
