Why do senior citizens retire mentally too?
If you are planning to retire mentally too, just know: You are destined to do better than that. Be active and you will be rewarded.
MANY SENIOR citizens not only retire physically–stop away from active employment because the employer wants him to leave at certain specified age – but also mentally. They tell themselves and others: “From now on I can lead a retired life”.
Trying to seek reasons for this type of self-negation, a few ideas flash. His father would have done the same. In earlier days it was thought perfectly OK to physically and mentally retire. Let youngsters take the reins of the household. Retirees were content with giving advice and perhaps interfering in everybody’s life. It may also be that during his active life the work pressure and stress was really great (insurmountable?) and he was waiting to retire and ‘enjoy’ retirement by doing nothing in particular. In a few cases we find the children telling the father facing retirement: “Daddy, you have struggled enough for us. Now you take rest and retire. Take life easy”. Whatever might be the reason I feel that a passive life is not worth it. This is strong conviction. If one should realize one’s full potential, then mental retirement is detrimental to it. One should be enthusiastic about life and experience new activities and joys. It may be learning a new game, a new skill (example: how to use the PC), making new friends, joining clubs and associations etc. The list is endless and only imagination is needed to pick something useful. The brain will be actively used and one can ward off diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. By being helpful to society ones own self confidence increases and a sense of fulfillment arises. People tend to healthier, happier and better in all respects. I believe in the statement: “Once you lose enthusiasm for life, you are dead”. Why lead a life like a vegetable when there are plenty of opportunities, avenues, help, resources and guidance is available just for the asking? If you are one who is planning to retire mentally too, just know: You are destined to do better than that.
.A good write up. I think we need to change the entire mentality and outlook of the older generation. The fact that I am old, I have done enough, I have struggled enough in my younger days, I need rest---all these are nothing but thoughts. And thoughts are very powerful. They can make or break you. If you think you have done enough, you will start rotting. If you think you will keep active till your last moment, you will be fresh and enthusiastic, and will give less trouble to others too. Its all in the mind, as they say and this is the area which needs to be addressed. Retirement is a man made entity. In nature, no animal or tree retires. They live till the last moment, as actively as possible.
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