Retirement and Mental Health

by Mike Jacquart

I retired as the editor of a magazine for employee assistance professionals several years ago, but I never gave a thought to writing about this topic – until now. I am finally doing so for two reasons: 

1) More and more Boomers like myself are retiring (full time at least) from the workforce each and every year. 2) Retirement is an overlooked cause of depression, especially for men since we are hard-wired to be breadwinners. And yet, recent retirees with few outside hobbies or interests are more prone to suffering a mental health impairment.

I recently spoke with a friend of mine in his sixties who has worked as district manager for a convenience store chain for many years. “What should I do, Jake?” he asked. (Jake is my nickname). Working full time for 50 hours or more a week left him little time for anything other than work and driving to his cottage to relax on weekends. (Working long hours is true for many of us, and not just men).

One suggestion I gave him was to get involved in volunteering in some fashion. I mentioned the Lions organization as one possibility, as I have been an active member of a local club for twenty years. I have also enjoyed bringing the gospel of Jesus to inmates in a local jail for about the same number of years. Both activities provided a much-needed transition into retirement as they gave me built-in things to do outside the home. I was VERY blessed to have some work-life balance since I could usually complete my tasks as a full-time editor in 32-35 hours a week.

Exercise offers another, healthy bridge from one phase of life to the next. And while you’d never know it from my weight (grin), I like walking my dog each day and riding a stationary bike at a local fitness center.

Volunteering and exercise, of course, are but a few ideas. Maybe working out isn’t your bag, or perhaps you already exercise. Or joining a civic organization might not be of interest either. 

You may also wish to keep working past 65. This has become increasingly common for Boomers – either for financial reasons, or you simply want to keep working because you like your job and are in good health. 

Stressed out after many years of being a slave to a calendar and endless deadlines, I knew that retiring would reduce my anxiety and be good for my mental health.  MOST important though, is to ask God what you should do FIRST, and not AFTER  you are stuck in a boring or otherwise unhappy retirement! 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct your paths.”

I know firsthand from a number of failed jobs and ventures that leaning on the Lord’s wisdom, and not my ideas, works out a LOT better. Good luck, and happy retirement.

Mike Jacquart belongs to a Fresh Hope support group and the author of “Climbing out of Darkness: A Personal Journey into Mental Wellness.” He enjoys sharing his story of “pushing through” on blog posts, podcasts, and other presentations. For more information, contact him at madjac@tds.net.

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