Life After Work

Professor Rob Bor is a Consultant Psychologist at the Royal Free Hospital and also in private practice as Dynamic Change Consultants as well as the Centre for Aviation Psychology. He works at Leaders in Oncology Care, The London Clinic, St Paul’s School, The Royal Ballet School, The Royal Air Force and several UK airlines. He divides his time between London and the Cotswolds, and has young twins and a cocker spaniel.Dr Carina Eriksen is a registered and chartered Consultant Counselling Psychologist. She runs a busy private practice in central London, Chelsea and the City. She is a fellow at the BPS, a BPS board committee member in aviation psychology and a BABCP accredited therapist. She is married with two young children.Lizzie Quarterman lives on a National Trust farm in Gloucestershire with her husband and several characterful cocker spaniels. She grows vegetables and paints landscapes and in professional life is an experienced writer and editor of business and psychology books and articles.

• Foreword by Professor Brett KahrIntroductionChapter 1: The changing face of retirementWhat is retirement?Why has retirement changed?LongevityHealth advancesGovernment encouragement to offset demographic changeHigher standard of livingHigher cost of livingIdentificationChapter 2: Psychological perspectivesWhy is psychology relevant?AssumptionsImpact of thoughtsNegative expectationsPositive expectationsSome of the things you may missThinking traps Fear of changeHow people react to changePsychological techniques to overcome fearHow to avoid overreactingFactors that affect "healthy" adjustmentEmotional instabilityChapter 3: The maturing brainWhat happens to the mature mind?Mental processing as we ageDementiaKeeping your brain fitCommon "purposeful" activitiesGiving backVolunteeringBecome a trusteeMentoringJoin an altruistic society, or become a fundraiserPass on your skillsThe power of playUse it or lose itMore tips for improving your mental healthChapter 4: Psychological approaches to challenging feelings and behavioursFear, worry and anxiety: Thinking errorsStrategies for coping with fear, worry and anxietyLow moodStrategies for dealing with low moodLoss, grief and bereavementStrategies for coping with lossSleep problemsStrategies for dealing with sleep problemsLonelinessStrategies to help you deal with lonelinessAddictionsStrategies for coping with addictionsChapter 5: Retirement and emotionsLossEmotional stressLow moodUncertaintyUnhappinessChapter 6: The impact on relationshipsThe impactOvercoming relationship difficultiesThe impact of retirement on home lifeRelationship tipsDevelop separatenessGender, sex and problemsRelationship breakdown and dealing with divorceChapter 7: Life after work, or unretirementLeaving the workplaceHow to retire from self-employmentHow to retire from unemploymentWhat next?Carry on workingSetting up on your ownBeware the trapsThe volunteering trapThe failing to fly the nest trapThe caring trapChapter 8: Mind your healthQuick fix for successful ageingMoveExerciseDiminishing muscle massSo what’s the solution?Brain functionFoodMediterranean dietBalance your blood sugarNourish yourselfEat mindfullyTrack yourselfRetirement as an opportunity to improve your healthChapter 9: Mind your money – financial planning for retirementHow much income will you need?How much capital will you need?AnnuitiesWhat return do you need?Tax relief and legislationMoney in bricksChapter 10: Bringing it all together – the blueprint for a psychologically sound unretirementPlanning aheadStart savingPrepare for old ageYour 20-point retirement blueprintResourcesFurther readingOrganisations and linksAbout the authorsProfessor Rob BorDr Carina EriksenLizzie QuartermanContributorsSteve LeonardOliver Patrick