When the Work is gone from Work Life Balance.

In today's professional landscape, we live in a corporate world that is all about equity, inclusiveness, and mental well-being, ensuring that we are all empowered not only to contribute our best, but to also maintain a healthy work life balance. But what when the ‘work’ gets taken out of the work life balance equation? Have you ever considered how your mental health is intrinsically woven into your career journey and asked yourself how this will translate into your retirement? ?

Moving from your career to retirement can create a sudden lack of structure that can strip away the five pillars of mental health: social connections, exercise, mental stimulation, contribution to others, and mindfulness that were once part of our daily lives. These elements are integral to our well-being, shaping our sense of purpose and fulfilment throughout life. Yet, as we step away from our careers, the routine that once naturally incorporated them are at risk of dissolving, leaving a void that can lead to disorientation or even depression for some. We need to set ourselves up for this new phase to become an opportunity to proactively redefine and realign with the pillars, turning potential challenges into avenues for growth and enrichment.

Here's how we can reframe the five pillars of mental health to redefine and resonate with the ethos of business leadership beyond retirement:

Social Connections: Networking doesn't retire. For business leaders, retirement can be an opportunity to shape the future of industries by engaging as mentors, advisors, or board members for emerging start-ups and enterprises. Serving as a panellist for start-up pitches or business incubators not only allows for the transfer of invaluable wisdom but also keeps leaders connected to the pulse of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Physical Activity: Leadership is as much about mental fitness as it is about physical resilience. In retirement, there is nothing to stop us exploring new adventures that put us to the test of our physical abilities, ensuring physical activity remains a cornerstone of your daily routine. Some older people have experienced that they feel healthier and fitter in their 60s or 70s than they were in their 40s or 50s.

Continuous Learning: The quest for knowledge need not cease with retirement. It is important to pivot the pursuit of learning towards areas you've always been passionate about but never had the time to explore deeply. Whether it's enrolling in education programs, attending conferences, or engaging in strategic consultancy projects, the opportunity for continuous intellectual engagement is vast.

Contribution to Others: Our career legacy is often measured by our impact on others. Retirement opens avenues for profound social contribution, such as philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, or non-profit leadership, enabling retirees to drive societal change and give back to communities in meaningful ways.

Mindfulness: High-pressure careers often leave little room for reflection and mindfulness. Retirement offers the chance to cultivate these practices, enhancing decision-making and emotional resilience. Whether through executive coaching, meditation retreats, or simply spending more time in nature, mindfulness can help maintain a strategic edge while also enjoying a balanced life.

Our new reality of increased life expectancy and better health means retirement is no longer a short, terminal phase but potentially a long, dynamic period of life. The traditional notion of retirement at 65 is outdated when we are living well into our 90s. To navigate this extended phase of life, we need to take a strategic approach to ensuring good mental health and creating a new era of retirement that can be a period marked by growth, engagement, and contribution. It is a time when we can leverage our career capital in flexible, impactful ways that benefit both ourselves and society. ?