Episode 252
Title: Top Reason Why People Get Sick in Retirement?
Host: Dr. Nicole Rivera
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Transcription:
Dr. Nicole Rivera (00:01.09):
Welcome back to another episode of Integrative You Radio. I’m Dr. Nicole, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s been heavy on my mind. This stems from conversations I’ve had with people, my own observations, and a book I’ve been reading, which reiterated a specific concept. I’ve been talking with my husband, Dr. Nick, about retirement and how I’ve noticed, over the past decade, many individuals who look forward to retirement only to end up spending a lot of their time at doctors' appointments.
One lens to look at this through is the idea that people had a very structured routine—whether they were working a nine-to-five job or running a business—and now, without that structure, they don't know what to do with their time. Even if it means going to doctor appointments, it gives them a sense of something to do.
Another idea is that after years of "working," doing what you have to do and not prioritizing what you want to do—missing out on vacations, family dinners, and social events—people have run on stress hormones for so long. And once they slow down, all their underlying health issues begin to surface. When you're constantly running on adrenaline, it can mask symptoms like headaches, migraines, or gut issues. But when the stress hormones come down, the underlying inflammation and imbalances come out, leading to a serious health decline.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (02:21.206):
It’s like when someone has a major injury but can still run because adrenaline is pumping through their system. The same thing happens after years of chronic stress. You stop, and then all those symptoms you've been masking come to light. Suddenly, you find yourself in poor health, wondering, "Why do I feel like this? Why did I get this diagnosis?" As a result, your health and mental well-being decline. You start reflecting on your life, filled with regret: "I should have done this, I should have spent more time with my family." But now, it's too late.
Many people fall into this trap, passing away in their sixties or early seventies. So, what's the culprit? Long-term stress hormones? Burnout? Or maybe it's a combination of underlying conditions that were always there but covered up by adrenaline and cortisol? There’s also the possibility that once you slow down, you start reflecting on all the things you didn't do. Your kids are grown, your friends have moved on or passed away, and you're left wondering where all the time went.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (04:45.258):
We need to start thinking about our lives now, taking inventory of what’s working and what’s not. Because let me tell you, the grass is not greener on the other side of retirement. If you've spent your life with the mindset of "I need to do this" or "I have to work hard for success," you're not going to know what to do with yourself when you finally retire.
You’re not suddenly going to enjoy a vacation, play golf, or have a beautiful relationship with your family. The time to cultivate those things is now, not when you're retired. So, yes, you might have a great income, but what are you spending your money on? Are you trying to buy friendships because you don’t have any? Are you buying expensive vacations, but your kids aren’t excited to join because you weren’t there for them growing up?
If you’ve spent your life sacrificing everything else for success in one area, it will catch up to you. Retirement won’t magically fix your relationships or make everything fall into place. Life doesn’t work that way. You need to stop listening to societal expectations and focus on creating a life that you truly want—now.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (07:02.912):
I’m not saying you should quit your job and never work again. You need to have a plan. But if you’re burning yourself out and sacrificing your family relationships in the process, that will follow you into retirement. The years that matter most in your children’s development are birth to seven years old. If you’re absent during that time, you’re creating a permanent divide. The same goes for your spouse—working constantly and neglecting your relationship will lead to separation later. These are things you cannot get back.
You don’t just wake up one day and decide to be more involved in your family’s life. Going to a football game with your adult child isn’t the same as being there when they were growing up. Time waits for no one. You need to get super focused on what actually matters, because so much of what we spend our time on doesn't.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (09:26.646):
I guide people through determining their family values, and it often boils down to connection, being present, and traveling together. But when we look at their weekly and monthly activities, we find hours upon hours spent on things that don't align with those values. Imagine the time you could reclaim for family dinners or fun outings if you cut back on those non-aligned activities.
The same goes for your career. If you’re working tirelessly but still not achieving financial freedom, take that as feedback to make a change. I’ve experienced this myself. I worked so hard in my business, only to feel like the money I made went right back into keeping the business afloat.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (11:51.21):
I realized that if I worked a fraction of those hours and learned to invest my money wisely, I’d be better off in a few years. It was a hard realization because I was deeply committed to my mission, helping people, and creating jobs. But the mission wasn't helping me and my family. So, I had to make changes.
It’s about creating balance. You need to make decisions that align with your bigger vision. For some people, that might mean building a billion-dollar business. For others, it’s about having the financial freedom to spend time with their families.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (14:12.862):
Stop comparing yourself to others. Get clear on what you want. What will make you wake up energized and fulfilled every day? Too many people are stuck in the mindset of doing things because they have to, not because they want to. This scarcity mindset keeps them on a hamster wheel.
When I used to coach business owners, I’d often challenge them to align their professional and personal vision. Many resisted because they were burnt out and hated their work. I wouldn’t create a business plan for something they hated—it’s a waste of time. We need to get clear on what fulfills and inspires you, then build a plan around that.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (16:33.494):
If you’re constantly postponing what’s important and filling your life with "have to" tasks, it’s time to make a change. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, it’s hard. But it’s not impossible. It requires clarity, planning, and tools. And it starts with changing your mindset.
Time waits for no one. You can’t wait until retirement, or until you make a million dollars, or until you find the right person. If you’re in poor health, there may be biochemical reasons for that, but if you don’t change your mindset, healing will be temporary. Resilience starts in the mind.
Dr. Nicole Rivera (18:58.008):
You need to shift how you think, how you perceive the world, and how you see yourself. Only then can you break free from default patterns—whether it’s sickness, depression, or anxiety—and align with what serves you best. Remember, time waits for no one.
