Many people spend their lives dreaming about retirement and all the freedom it will afford them. However, they may not realize that, outside the workplace, it takes effort to stay engaged.

Lack of exposure is a common problem for retirees, Sarah Peck, outpatient mental health therapist at Ellie Mental Health in Beachwood, said. The bulk of her patients are approaching retirement or are already retired.

“A lot of people will say they are looking forward to doing nothing,” she said. “Please don’t do that.”

High-quality social interactions are essential for mental and physical well-being, quality of life and longevity, according to the World Health Organization.

“One of the biggest social determinants of health in terms of longevity is the amount of your social exposure or lack thereof,”

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