A Harvard Happiness Study Spanning Eighty-Five Years Uncovered the Number One Retirement Challenge for American Electric Power Employees that 'No One Discusses

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As The Harvard Happiness study found, social connections are often the most valuable and rewarding aspect of retirement for American Electric Power employees - Patrick Ray, The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

As American Electric Power employees plan for retirement, they must recognize that the wealth of social relationships built at work can provide more emotional fulfillment in retirement than any financial asset - social capital - Michael Corgiat, The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

In this article we will discuss:

• 1. Relationships matter during retirement for American Electric Power employees.

• 2. Best practices for building and maintaining good work relationships.

• 3. Findings from the Harvard Happiness study on how relationships influence retirement satisfaction.

Harvard researchers began investigating what makes us joyful in 1938.

Two years apart, the researchers reviewed 724 health records and asked questions about lifestyles across the globe. As participants aged into middle age and old age, the Harvard study raised many retirement-related questions. Their answers revealed the biggest obstacle for retirees is finding work that lasts them longer than social connections.

Retirees miss working but they miss people they worked with.

We worry about finances, health and caregiving in retirement.

But American Electric Power employees should ask how the best retirees build relationships. But almost nobody discusses the importance of finding new meanings and purposes.One participant told CNBC what he missed about being a physician for nearly 50 years. Another participant, Leo DeMarco, said the same thing: Once retired as a high school teacher, he had difficulty contacting former colleagues again.He said discussing business gives him spiritual food. Teaching young people started my exploratory project.

But hobbies are not sufficient.

Many feel most important at work because we serve colleagues, customers, communities, and sometimes our families too. American Electric Power employees may relate.Changes at his factory forced Henry Keane into abrupt retirement. So he suddenly had time to himself and energy.He began assisting with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed furniture restoration and cross-country skiing. Yet something remained lacking.

To get your golden years now, invest in your relationships.

American Electric Power employees should know that Keane's epiphany not only teaches a lesson about retirement, but work in general: We are so consumed by money and time constraints that we do not appreciate our work relationships until they are gone.

According to a Harvard happiness study covering 85 years, the biggest retirement challenge for American Electric Power employees that is rarely discussed is finding new social connections and relationships after working years. The study found that retirees do not necessarily miss the work itself but rather the people they worked with. Such is the value of having meaningful relationships throughout one's career and beyond retirement.

American Electric Power employees should consider the following when developing deeper relationships:

• Who do I like working with and how do they contribute to my success? Am I seeing their worth?

• Which types of relationships do I want more of but am I lacking? But how will they come about?

• Anyone I should know better? But how do I contact them?

• How do I end a disagreement with a coworker?

• Who thinks differently, has a different background, or works in a different field from me? How will they help me?

• Consider what has shaped your daily experience of meaning and purpose. It may therefore be that this influence is net positive. But in any case - can you make a few minor changes?

• Former university administrator Ellen Freund tells CNBC in a 2006 study.

Every workday is part of our individual experience - and the more interpersonal contact enriches it. Work is also existence.Things we as American Electric Power employees should consider when building positive work relationships:

Intimate relationships with others take time and effort. Yet there are also simple things American Electric Power employees can do to better communicate with coworkers.

Set your relationship requirements. Know what you expect of others? And can you comprehend what is asked of you? Recognizing these requirements may create stronger relationships.

Develop your interpersonal skills. Relationship health depends on interpersonal competence. American Electric Power employees can take the Mind Tools assessment of collaboration, communication, and conflict management. The exam also points you to resources to strengthen any weak spots.

Consider your EI. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand and process one's own and others' emotions. You will get better at recognizing the emotions and demands of others as your EI increases.

Practice mindful listening. They feel more positive about people who listen carefully to what they say. You will speak less and understand more with mindful listening. You will also build a reputation for reliability.

Set aside time for relationship building. You might take a colleague out for a coffee if possible. Comment on a colleague's LinkedIn post or send a short note asking about their health. These little interactions are necessary for lasting relationships.

Establish your boundaries. Make time - but don't waste it! A work relationship can sometimes impede productivity when a friend or coworker takes over your time. There needs to be boundaries and time management around social interactions at work.

Consider others. Everyone wants to feel appreciated from the manager to the intern. So when others perform well, compliment them. Praise and recognition will build good workplace relationships.

Be optimistic. Keep yourself upbeat. Because positive energy is infectious, people tend to follow those who make them happy.

Avoid gossiping. Occupational politics and gossip sabotage workplace relationships. In a dispute with a group member, contact the member directly. The gossip with other colleagues will only increase distrust and animosity.

Develop and maintain good working relationships that increase interest in your work, your career, and a harmonious work environment. Employ all of the above strategies to build productive working relationships with colleagues / managers / customers / others. Some business relationships will be easier than others. But with thought, time, and effort, these relationships can also be beneficial.

Retirement is like a garden with flowers representing various aspects of our lives. And while the financial blooms are often more prominent - a nest egg or investment return - the social connections we made whilst working go unnoticed. As a garden produces many different and vibrant flowers, so too can our retirement if we take care of our relationships. The Harvard Happiness study finds these social connections - like petals on a flower - are the top retirement challenge for American Electric Power employees. The colors they add bring color, joy, and purpose to our golden years. Just as a gardener spends time and care on his or her garden, so must American Electric Power employees invest in their relationships with intention and cherish the bonds that make retirement enjoyable and fulfilling.

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Sources:

1. Mineo, Liz. 'Over Nearly 80 Years, Harvard Study Has Been Showing How to Live a Healthy and Happy Life.'  Harvard Gazette , 11 Apr. 2017,  news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life .

2. Mineo, Liz. 'Work Out Daily? OK, but How Socially Fit Are You?'  Harvard Gazette , 10 Feb. 2023,  news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/02/work-out-daily-ok-but-how-socially-fit-are-you .

3. Liebergall, Molly. 'Author Talks: The World’s Longest Study of Adult Development Finds the Key to Happy Living.'  McKinsey & Company , 16 Feb. 2023,  mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-the-worlds-longest-study-of-adult-development-finds-the-key-to-happy-living .

4. Broom, Douglas. 'Scientists Have Found the Key to a Healthy, Happy Life: Our Relationships.'  World Economic Forum , 22 Aug. 2023,  weforum.org/stories/2023/08/relationships-basis-long-healthy-life .

5. Kram, Kathy E. 'How Will My Relationships Change in Retirement?'  WorkTies , 4 Nov. 2024,  workties.org/post/how-will-my-relationships-change-in-retirement .