It is often surprising to young people how often a new retiree becomes anxious or depressed. As the young see it, after working hard all their adult lives, retirement should be a happy goal achieved. Unfortunately, the reality is that when that retirement day does finally arrive, the retiree looks at his situation and asks, “Who am I, and what do I do with the rest of my life?”

It is so easy to slip into sadness and seclusion when a spouse, close friend or pet dies. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. It isn’t impossible to build a new and fulfilling social life. Begin with a new attitude and follow these seven tips.