Combating retirement depression in Spain

While you might think retirement is a time when you can finally relax, let go of the stresses of a full-time job, and enjoy free time to pick up new hobbies, not every retired person is as happy as you might think. But why do some people find that with retirement comes some feelings of depression? Read below some of the reasons for retirement depression and our suggestions on how to deal with them.

What causes retirement depression?

For most people, having a permanent job brings a sense of purpose to one’s life. Many people enjoy being able to provide for their family, and being a working man or woman can make us feel like a useful part of society. Once you retire, these positive feelings can sometimes disappear. As a result, some retired people end up feeling lost, as if they have lost a sense of belonging in their life.

As well as this, retirement often brings with it a change in the dynamics at home. Whether one or both spouses were previously working, with both now spending more time at home, they may be spending more time together and less time with others. The roles in the household may change, and there is often a need for more joint decision making. At first, couples may find it hard to adjust to this change, and this can in turn cause more conflicts as they adjust to their new way of life.

Another contributing factor to depression after retirement is that often one feels sad about ageing. They may experience feelings of fear about the prospect of death, or about increasing sickness and disability. Elderly people often spend more time at the doctors and in hospitals than other age groups. The decreasing ability to travel around due to age may play a role in the feelings of depression too.

Retiring abroad can bring additional negative feelings, because it often means you are further away from family and friends. For example, if you’re a retired expat in Spain, you might be a 2-hour flight away from those closest to you, which only adds to those feelings of being lost.

What are some ways to retirement depression and prepare for retirement in Spain?

• Stay active: Take up activities that cleanse both the mind and body and help you feel active, such as gym classes, yoga, or a new sport or hobby.
• Choose a cause you support: You may find that joining the volunteer team for your local charity helps replace that sense of purpose that you lost when you retired.
• Strengthen your family ties: Make the time to see your children and grandchildren, particularly if you intend to retire abroad and will have less time to see them.
• Tick off items on your bucket list: There are probably a handful of things you still are yet to achieve, perhaps it’s taking a ride in a hot air balloon or visiting the Grand Canyon. Now that you’ve got the time, make sure you tick off as many of these as you can, before it’s too late!
• Develop a routine: It’s a big change to go from planning your life around a full-time job, to having no major commitments. By creating a schedule, you can retain this structure in your life, which may help you adjust to the changes retirement abroad brings. Include in the schedule things such as odd jobs around the house, exercise, or volunteer work.

If you’re considering retiring abroad, or you’ve already settled in Spain to begin the charmed life as a “jublido”, make sure to follow our tips to avoid any potential negative feelings or retirement depression. However, choosing Spain for your retirement comes with one major upside that will help you see the brighter side of life: over 300 days of beautiful sunshine each year!