Retirement counseling: how does it work and what are its advantages?

People who have retired can benefit from this psychological service.

Retirement is, for many, the most eagerly awaited moment of their lives.. It is the end of working life and the beginning of the golden years in which one no longer has to worry about handing in reports, holding meetings, being behind the cashier's desk and other really stressful and exhausting tasks.

However, there are those who see this as a time of great uncertainty, feeling as if they have lost what defined them and structured their day. Free time becomes tedious and a sense of futility sets in.

To avoid that when it is time to stop working, the person starts a process that will lead to depression and isolation, it is very convenient to plan the retirement and to turn to professionals to receive guidance to face this great change.

Psychological guidance, both before and during retirement, is a key factor in ensuring the highest degree of well-being in this new period of life, as well as avoiding health problems, both physical and mental, and helping to enjoy this great freedom. This new period of life, as well as to avoid health problems, both physical and mental, and to contribute to enjoy this great freedom.

In this article we will explain what processes occur during retirement, how to approach the guidance to those who are going to retire and some useful strategies to make the most of the new situation.

• We recommend: "The 3 phases of old age and its physical and psychological changes".

Retirement, a big change

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

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

This can be perceived, and indeed it is, the loss of an important part of one's identity. It generates a certain emptiness, which can lead to different defensive behaviors, ideas, beliefs and associated emotions.

What can we do to improve the lives of retired people?

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

These sciences do not treat retirement as the simple end of working life, but as the beginning of a new period in which the retired person can make the most of his or her potential, since he or she now has all the time in the world to invest in himself or herself. They can try to fulfill their dreams, do what work prevented them from doing, and enjoy a well-deserved rest. It should be noted that in the past, old age was not viewed as it is today. In the past, and due to the fact that few people reached old age, achieving an advanced age was widely respected. Older people were seen as references and sources of knowledge and experience.

However, thanks to advances in science and, especially, 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 wear and tear, sickness and limitations, while youth is that of old age.while youth is promoted as desirable and the value to always maintain.

Why is it necessary to orient psychologically in retirement?

When approaching the end of the professional life, it is convenient to seek guidance to face retirement. The aim of this is 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 helpful in transforming the large amount of free time that will be available into very productive and enjoyable days.

Ideally, companies should have protocols in place that address how to help older workers manage their own retirement, addressing economic aspects as well as leisure and social relationships. There should be an interest in knowing the status of those who are retiring, to ensure that they will be able to cope with the new situation in the best possible state of mental health.

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

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

Given the importance of retirement as a vital period, it is of fundamental importance to develop a series of strategies to facilitate the person's adaptation to the new change. The figure of the counseling psychologist can become crucial in this type of situation.

During the orientation, it is planned how to deal with leisure time and other aspects of retirement.. It is essential to look back at the person's life, to understand and list their personal experiences, knowledge and expertise, as well as the meaning they gave to the role they played in the organization. The aim is to stop seeing retirement as something inevitably negative and see it as the ideal moment to develop one's personal potential.

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

It is of great importance that in these sessions all the necessary information is provided to the person concerned.The program will promote a deep reflection on what is going to be their new daily life and will help them to break beliefs and myths about this vital period.

Strategies of analysis for retirement

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

1. Make a list

Put on 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 of this new period. In addition, it allows to establish realistic objectives.

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

3. Maintaining contact with others

It may seem obvious, but there are many people who, at the time of retirement or even before, go through a brief period of isolation. The problem is that something that was originally intended to be short can be stretched out, leading to a situation of isolation.

There are many elderly people who live alone and have not left their homes for a long time, which seriously affects their mental health. This is why, when retirement comes, friendships should be cultivated.

This, in addition to avoiding disconnection from the outside world, will help the person's self-esteem, since, despite no longer working, there will be people who will have esteem and care about him or her.

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

4. Seek new knowledge

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

These courses are not only a dynamic way of learning and recycling, but also a way of opening one's mind by meeting new people, they also allow one to open one's mind by meeting new people..

Bibliographical references:

• Albarracín D. and Goldestein E. (1994). Redes de apoyo social y envejecimiento humano". In J. Buendía. Envejecimiento y Psicología de la Salud. Madrid. Siglo XXI. 373-398
• Aranguren J. L. (1992). La vejez como autorrealización personal y social. Madrid. Ministry of Social Affairs.
• Buendía J. (1994). Envejecimiento y Psicología de la Salud. Madrid. Siglo XXI.
• García, A. J. & Garcés de los Fayos-Ruiz, E.J. (2000) Preparation for retirement: a review of psychological and social factors that influence a better emotional adjustment at the end of work performance. Annals of Psychology, 16 (1), 87-99.