Want to Be Happy? Get to Work

The American Interest's Via Meadia ^ | May 17, 2013 | Walter Russell Mead

[2ndDivisionVet]

Retiring early can make you depressed and unhealthy, as well as poor, according to a new study by the Institute of Economic Affairs, a British think tank. The IEA looked at micro-level data from 11 countries on the physical and mental health of retirees. Here were some of the report’s findings:

– Retirement increases the probability of suffering from clinical depression by about 40 per cent

– Retirement increases the probability of having at least one diagnosed physical condition by about 60 percent

– Retirement increases the probability of taking a drug for such a condition by about 60 per cent

This data should be taken with a grain of salt. The IEA is a free market think tank with an interest in raising the pension age. Moreover, as with any study, it’s not always clear how the correlation/causation dynamic plays out. Does retirement make people unhealthy, or does being unhealthy lead people to retire?

Nevertheless, this data reinforces our point from yesterday: Work is an essential aspect of human life, one of the things that fulfill us as human beings....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Comments?

[faithhopecharity]

I agree with this, (but there aren’t any jobs... even for those with multiple advanced degrees and many years’ successful experience)

so,
the thing to do is to try to develop more hobbies, arts, crafts, nature walks, play with your kittykats, wrestle with your Rottweilers, maybe learn how to play a musical instrument (kazoo for the Unemployed March on Washington?)

and... be thankful for all the good people in the world (you know, those outside WashDC and your state capital)

[faithhopecharity]

in other words, given the new kind of GOD we have now in America (Great Obama Depression),

when given lemons,
make some lemonade!

[2ndDivisionVet]

All kinds of jobs here, where do you live?

[Aria]

I work 5 days a week in the tax dept of a Fortune 500 company. I’m fairly happy - like the people I spend my days with - to a limited degree I get to participate in affecting business success, etc. Surprisingly (to me) the work can be interesting, even challenging.

A friend of mine who has tons of money sits home, worries and is permanently depressed.

How strange that I am happier than she is since she has what everyone thinks they want.

[GOP Poet]

Retiring from work does not mean--for many--a retirement from other pursuits such as new fulfilling hobbies and joining new groups with like minded others. If one has enough money to sustain themselves for a lifetime they can do whatever they damn well want.

Many that have worked that hard or have been that lucky are often bright and hard working thus once they reorient themselves they can be great contributors and participators in new arenas.

I am not talking about those who have retired on the tax payers dole however. Often those are the dependies. (Like the diapers)

[jobim]

I love these discussions, as I hit 62 this year. Common sense tells us that we need to:

1) keep in top physical shape: exercise - walk - hike - bike - get off the bum
2) eat right: goodies in tiny moderation - fruitsvegetablesnutsbeans lots - meat, (booze if at all) moderate
3) hobbies: something enjoyable that takes up a part of each day
4) faith: work for God each day in some capacity
5) prayer: get close to Him

That's all I can think of, but for me it covers

[GOP Poet]

Chances are pretty high this person is generally like this but now she just has more time to do it and whine to others which also reinforces her whiiiiiiniiinnnnggg.. lol. I'd tell here to make a list of the top ten things she always wanted to do and start at the top making them happen. If she finds a way or reason to not do this, she is just a baby whiner and always has been.

I know plenty of early retirees with loads of cash that are very happy, loving, Godly people who are enjoying the fruits of retirement and wouldn't know how to find time for a job. HAHA.

[GOP Poet]

I love these discussions, as I hit 62 this year. Common sense tells us that we need to:

1) keep in top physical shape: exercise - walk - hike - bike - get off the bum
2) eat right: goodies in tiny moderation - fruitsvegetablesnutsbeans lots - meat, (booze if at all) moderate
3) hobbies: something enjoyable that takes up a part of each day
4) faith: work for God each day in some capacity
5) prayer: get close to Him

That's all I can think of, but for me it covers

EXACTLY! You nailed it all right there :).

Bless you in your daily pursuits my FRiend.

[Aria]

Ahh, you have a good point. Maybe she is just a natural whiner. I always thought she’d have been better off if she had actually HAD to do something..but maybe not.

[KittenClaws]

I can't wait to retire. Well, I can wait, because I am waiting. But I'm looking forward to it.

I want to work in my backyard garden, make it a real thing, not just a tomato plant or two..I want to have dinner ready for my husband (who is behind me by three years to retirement).

I want out of this rat race that is called work. There is other, more meaningful work to be done.

[GOP Poet]

No mention of faith in the article. I am sure if they looked at this population, they may get some very different results. Thanks again for your wonderful post.

[bboop]

Also give your talents away. There are kids dying for adults to care for them, to teach them about life, to teach them.

[gaijin]

BS. This is prep-work for when the bottom of SS inevitably falls out and we have millions of old folks having to return to work —”It’s so great now that you’ll BE HAPPY AGAIN....!”

More lickspittle-ism.

Same thing when Obama first got elected and unemployment continued notching up “Obama is helping people spend MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES...!!”

ALL bad news will be re-spun in new, breathless terms:

Smashed your balls, you say..? Hey, NO MORE PSA TESTS...!!!!

[faithhopecharity]

I agree, although I am not so sure I would be the kids’ best mentor about “life”

(?)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Grandpa ‘retired’ at 55, but still worked lots of jobs beyond that. He lived to be 89 - no depression that I ever saw.

Dad retired at 53. He’s 76 now. No depression that I’ve seen, and I currently care for him and see him 3-4x a week..

I WAS on track to retire by 55 - until my ex took off with all of our retirement savings and another woman. (Joke’s on her, and the money is all gone up his nose, LOL!)

I have NEVER been happier in my entire LIFE! :)

Oh, I’ll be workin’ a few more years now, but I’ll have my farm paid off in no time and then I can say a polite, “See Ya!” to my current employer and work for myself. :)

[GOP Poet]

Well I think you are right in that she is no good sitting around listening to herself. She probably would feel a renewed sense of purpose with something to do. So you're thinking work and that is understandable given that is what she clearly doesn't have is some focus, some sort of role or purpose. She's lost.

Hopefully she will start pursing new interests. Sounds like she has a good friend in you.

[Graybeard58]

Retiring early can make you depressed and unhealthy.

Retired 14 years ago at 54 and the last 14 years have been the happiest years of my life.

[Cindy]

My husband and I are “retired.”

We suffer no ailments and we do not take RX meds.

We have a laundry list of stuff to do from the time we get up to the time we go to bed. Both of us are very active.

We pay for everything we buy.

My husband has outlived most of his work partners and friends.

I’ve outlived most of my closest relatives.

Most of my friends and acquaintances are still working and are active in their communities.

We love the Lord and know that each day is a gift from God.

As for depression, who has time for that?!

#

Anyway, for those of you are looking for a job here are a couple of websites:

RESOURCE LINKS PAGE
http://www.truthusa.com/AreYouLookingForAJob.html

JOBS & CAREERS FORUM BOARD [No Registration Required To Read the forums.]
http://truthusa.com/jobs/index.php