Psychological counseling in retirement: how it works and its advantages

Retirement is, by many, the most anticipated moment. Work life ends and the golden years begin in which you no longer have to worry about handing out reports, holding meetings, being behind the cashier and other really stressful tasks and exhausting.

However, there are those who see this as a moment of great uncertainty, feeling as if they have lost what defined them and that structured their day. Free time becomes tedious and the feeling of worthlessness appears.

To prevent the person from starting a process that will lead to depression and isolation, it is very convenient to plan retirement and go to professionals for guidance against this great change.

Psychological counseling, both before and during retirement, is a key factor in ensuring the highest degree of well-being faced with this new vital period, in addition to avoiding health problems, both physical and mental, and helping to enjoy this great freedom.

In this article we are going to explain what processes take place during retirement, how the guidance for those who are going to retire and some useful strategies to get the most out of the new situation.

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Retirement, a big change

Each person is a different world and, also, is their way of facing life changes. Retirement can be approached in many ways depending on the person. Factors such as culture, life experiences and experiences, the type of work performed, the family support and many other aspects influence the attitude and the way in which the new will be lived period.

Retirement is the end of the working life, of the profession that has been doing for many years. It is not surprising that most identify with the work they have done, presenting themselves with the label of their work. We are psychologists, pedagogues, doctors, aeronautical engineers or any other profession. We show ourselves to the world with these professions, but when we retire, our cover letter seems to have expired, that it no longer defines us.

This can be perceived, and in truth it is, the loss of an important part of the own identity. It generates a certain void, which can lead to different defensive behaviors, ideas, beliefs and associated emotions.

What can we do to improve the lives of retirees?

In recent years and, thanks to the development of sciences focused on the study of the elderly, such as psychogerontology, it has been a matter of present aging not as something fatal and horrible that once it has arrived is here to stay, but as something that, in a way, can be to prevent. Obviously, there is no human way to prevent the years from running their course, but you can influence how the person is influenced by them, either emotionally or cognitively.

These sciences do not treat retirement as the simple end of working life, but the beginning of a new period in which You can make the most of your retiree's potential, given that you now have all the time in the world to invest in yourself herself. She can try to fulfill her dreams, do what work prevented her from doing, and enjoy a well-deserved rest. It should be noted that old age was not seen as it is today. In the past, and because there were few who reached the third age, achieving advanced age was widely respected. Elderly people were seen as references and sources of knowledge and experience.

However, thanks to advances in science and especially in medicine, life expectancy in developed countries has increased, with many more people reaching old age. Because of this, The current cultural pressure is that old age is synonymous with wasting, illness and limitationsWhile youth is what is promoted as desirable and the value to always maintain.

Why is it necessary to counsel psychologically in retirement?

As you approach the end of your professional life, it is advisable to seek guidance in dealing with retirement. The objective of this is to be able to acquire strategies to face this great change, and to be able to make the most of it. Good planning, focused on reflecting on what is coming, will always be beneficial for transform the large amount of free time that will be available into very productive days and pleasurable.

Ideally, companies have protocols that contemplate how to help workers more veterans to manage their own retirement, addressing both financial aspects and leisure and relationships social. There must be an interest in knowing the state of those who are going to retire, to ensure that they will be able to face the new situation with the best possible state of mental health.

The uncertainty of retirement is truly terrifying, and initiates a whole series of concerns related to it: economic stability, health problems, rhythm of life, loss of friends, loss of identity ...

People who plan their own retirement have a greater adjustment when this period arrives, that is, they feel greater satisfaction and lead a fuller life than those who have not devoted enough time to organize this period.

Given the importance of retirement as a vital period, it is of fundamental importance that a series of strategies be developed to facilitate the adaptation of the person to the new change. The figure of the counseling psychologist can become crucial in these types of situations.

During the orientation, it is planned how to deal with free time and other aspects of retirement. It is essential to look back on the person's life, understand and list their personal experiences, knowledge and experiences, in addition to the meaning that she gave to the role she performed in the organization. This is to stop seeing retirement as something inevitably negative and see it as the ideal time to develop the personal potential of each one.

During the sessions with the counseling psychologist, either individually or in groups, topics are addressed: fear of retirement, uncertainties and the perception of possible loss, in addition to proposing activities and interests that can fill free time and the void left by finishing a job.

It is of great importance that in these sessions all the necessary information is offered to the interested person, promote a deep reflection on what your new daily life will be in addition to helping you break beliefs and myths that are held about this vital period.

Analysis strategies for retirement

There are several strategies that allow you to prepare for retirement and, also, get the most out of it, transforming it into the authentic golden years of the person.

1. Make a list

Put in it places that are pleasant, as well as people who can be a great support during the process and activities and hobbies that satisfy the person.

2. SWOT analysis

This analysis evaluates the threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths that this new period represents. In addition, it allows you to set realistic goals.

This tool is widely used in the field of organizations, but it can be used in the personal sphere and focus it to satisfy vital objectives.

3. Keep in touch with others

It may seem obvious, however there are many people who, at the time of retirement or even before, go through a brief period in which they isolate themselves. The problem is that something that was originally going to be short can be stretched and become isolated.

Many older people live alone and have not left their homes for a long time, which seriously affects their mental health. That is why, upon retirement, friendships must be cultivated.

This, in addition to avoiding disconnecting from the outside world, it will help in the self-esteem of the person, given that, despite not working anymore, there will be people who will esteem you and care about you.

A healthy network of friends has been linked to fewer physical and psychological health problems.

4. Search for new knowledge

Computer workshops for seniors, language courses, neighborhood choirs... there are many activities for seniors that have become popular in recent years.

In these courses you not only learn dynamically and you recycle, they also allow you to open your mind when meeting new people.

Bibliographic references:

• Albarracín D. and Goldestein E. (1994). Social support networks and human aging ". In J. Good day. Aging and Health Psychology. Madrid. XXI century. 373-398
• Aranguren J. L. (1992). Old age as personal and social self-realization. Madrid. Ministry of Social Affairs
• Buendía J. (1994). Aging and Health Psychology. Madrid. XXI century
• Garcia, A. J. & Garcés de los Fayos-Ruiz, E.J. (2000) Preparation for retirement: review of the psychological and social factors that affect a better emotional adjustment at the end of work performance. Annals of Psychology, 16 (1), 87–99