Sunday, September 30, 2001		Stressbusters

Retiring from work is one of the most significant events of one’s life.

• Our work is such an important part of our lives for such a long time that self-worth becomes tied to it.

  Retired people often withdraw socially

• When retirement occurs, we may lack other ways to affirm our self-worth and status.

• Retirement, whether it is viewed as a positive or negative experience, requires adjust-ments.

• It means an adjustment to a leisure-oriented way of life.

• Ageism, like sexism and racism, is a negative social reality with which the retired people are faced.

• Necessary adjustments during retirement are centred around aloneness-not necessarily "loneliness".

The pattern of people who try to satisfy the same needs after retirement as before retirement. They continue work in one way or another; For example: they take a part-time job.

The pattern of people who consider retirement as a time to relax. They give up many of their former activities and adopt new ones;

For example they take up golf.

The pattern of the people who attempt to satisfy the same needs as before retirement, but by different means; For example, they volunteer to work as helpers in hospitals or for charitable organisations

The biggest need is adequate financial security, socially stable relationships, medical care, emotional warmth and good health.

(The writer is an IPS officer and an expert in stress management).