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Expectation -

Having time to do all the things you couldn't before, completely independent again, the chance to take up painting, get those photo albums done, travel, go out to lunch, go shopping with no lines, and much more.

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Reality -

Retirement dreams are interrupted by serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia and mental illness. The twist is that the trigger for these issues might be retirement itself.

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"Retirement curse" - Dhaval Dave, a health and labor economist at Bentley University in Massachusetts, has closely studied the so-called "retirement curse," and found that data indicates negative health effects from retirement are real.

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Decline in physical and mental health - His team found that around five years after retirement, the average American has a 6 to 9% decline in mental health, a 5 to 6% increase in illness condition, and a 5 to 16% increase in difficulties with daily activities, all of which stemming from drastic lifestyle changes.

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It's bad for the economy -

Government healthcare programs take a hit when there are an increase of chronic medical conditions needing treatment, especially as baby boomers continue to retire in large numbers.

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But it's not retirement itself -

The curse lies in the transition from work to retirement, from how you manage it to how it alters your behaviors and affects your quality of life.

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We are creatures of habit -

After building a lifelong habit of going to work five days a week, we have to be prepared and know how to create new habits, or else we will suffer.

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Loneliness can be toxic -

Research has indicated that social isolation, and particularly the involuntary feeling of loneliness, can have a negative impact on our life span similar to the detrimental effects of smoking.

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How to ward off the curse -

While planning your retirement from a financial point of view, you should simultaneously be planning a physically active and socially-engaged lifestyle.

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Ease into it -

Some people go straight from working full-time to working no-time, and that will make the transition abrupt and jarring. Try to ease your workload down slowly, and you’ll slowly incorporate other ways to fill your time.

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That goes for eating patterns as well -

We all too often underestimate the role that food plays in our life, and going from eating three regular meals and having snacks in between at work to suddenly having breakfast at noon and snacks into the night will throw your body and mind off.

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Social support -

Whether it’s a partner, family members, or a group of friends, you should have people around that you see on a regular basis.

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If you’re in a relationship, prepare for it together -

Just as your work schedule must go through a transition, so too must your relationship. Retirement can cause some issues in a couple (especially with all that time to argue), so it’s best to talk about boundaries and feelings with your partner.

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Get a pet - It sounds cliché, but that's because it works. Getting a pet ensures you have a companion and that you maintain responsibility for a life other than your own. Even better, try fostering a dog!

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Physical activity -

The decrease in physical movement in retirement is a hugely underestimated cause of illness. Get involved in fitness classes or sign up at a gym if you’re not good at motivating yourself to move at home!

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A part-time job -

Whether you need extra cash or just something to do, there are many places hiring seniors. You could try being a barista!

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Put your skills to use -

After all those years of experience, you can be a consultant in your field and make your own hours.

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Volunteer -

Giving back to the community is recommended by many health experts as a way to combat the negative effects of retirement and stay active and fulfilled.

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Go back to school -

Learning new skills or even just learning about something you never had time to study is one of the best ways to stay young and curious about the world. Plus, most schools offer free admission to seniors.

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Limiting your choices -

There’s a paralyzing feeling common to those who suddenly have far too many choices available to them. Making a structure for yourself with some constraints, like things separating the week from the weekend, will help ease the transition.

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But what about going back to work? -

As many people feel disoriented and lost after being thrust into a world where their only purpose is to serve their own needs, "unretirement" is becoming popular.

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Unretirement -

Published in 2017, a survey from RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research firm, found almost 40% of workers over 65 had previously, at some point, unretired.

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It has its pros -

Unretired people craved a sense of purpose, a way to use their brain, and a form of social engagement. The money was nice, but not cited as a primary incentive.

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The curse of unretirement -

But this is simply a return to the familiar, whereas retirement offers the chance to live intentionally, explore a different purpose, and choose who you have meaningful interactions with instead of forced bonding with colleagues over work.

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It can be scary, but liberating -

As a retiree, it's in your hands to find social opportunities, determine your purpose, and show up for yourself, which is a proactive attitude that might be unfamiliar after years of being an employee.

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More financial preparation than you think -

Another problem with retirement is that many people only have enough to live off of, whereas it's advised to wait to retire until you have enough money to thrive. You don't want to wait your whole life for an anticlimactic second-half.

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Have something depend on you -

The feeling of being needed is not something we can unlearn very easily. Whether it’s caring for a partner, taking on babysitting responsibilities, bringing the poker set to your friendly games, or tending to a garden, keep a sense of purpose around you.

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Don’t wait to travel -

Avoid being slowed down by health issues, insurance costs, and budget problems—as well as the haunting feeling of unfulfilled promise—by getting to your travel plans right away.

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Let go of the past -

It’s hard to set up a healthy future if you haven’t made peace with your past work life. Accept that you did all you could in your old job, and focus on your next task.

See also: Age-specific tips for better sleep

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