Great Ways to Spend Time When You Retire

Great Ways to Spend Time When You Retire

Retirement means different things to different people. Perhaps your dream is to sail around the world and explore new cultures. Maybe you’ve been waiting to spend time quietly with beloved family and friends. Whatever your take is on retirement, now more than ever you have the opportunity to include things in your life that you find rewarding and make you happy. After all, you have worked hard for this!  And even though time marches on, your life is far from over! Now is the time to make the most of what’s to come.

Meant to inspire once you retire, Integrated has put together a list of activities that will help kick off your golden years in a new and exciting way! Read on to learn how you can make the most of your time and the best years ahead.

Things You Can Do Once You Retire 

Stay Active

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, by age 75, about one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity.  So now is the best time to get active or stay active.  

• Join a gym. Many Medicare supplements include free gym memberships.  Talk with your physician before starting any exercise routine to make sure that they endorse a plan, and find out if there are any physical limitations. Many gyms offer classes, so you may meet some friends along the way!  Every Integrated community offers a state-of-the-art fitness center with senior-friendly equipment and a variety of classes to keep you moving.

• Learn to dance. Take a class from a studio or community center. Go alone or bring a partner. If you have ever wanted to learn to ballroom dance, do the country two-step, or master square dancing, now is the perfect time to do so! Dancing is a great social activity that gets you moving and having fun. If taking a class is not for you, simply stop by one of our happy hours, where dancing is always part of the party.

• Try a new sport. Are you up for biking or swimming? How about a game of softball or Frisbee golf? Even if you don't know how to play, there are always groups to join, or people to teach you. Your local senior center can provide additional resources on senior-friendly sports nearby. If you’re in the area, stop by one of our communities for a round of pickle ball or miniature golf!

• Activity doesn't have to be strenuous. A simple walk around the neighborhood is a great way to get some exercise and is even better when you do it with a friend! Your neighborhood or local community center may offer a walking club, and if you move to an Integrated community, you can always join ours!

Be a Mentor

You have a lifetime of experience under your belt, so why not share it with others? In sharing your skills as well as life lessons with others, they gain from learning from an experienced teacher, and should give you great pleasure in doing so! In fact, an article in the Harvard Business Review reports that seniors who mentor younger people may be three times as happy as those who don't.  We all know how important mental well-being is as we age, so give it a try and boost your serotonin levels!

• Mentor at-risk youth. Many children can benefit from having a parental figure who can teach basics. With single-parent households, both parents working, as well as children being raised by extended families, the importance of having a mentor to guide them is undeniable. Regardless if you are mentoring through a youth center or an organization, as a mentor, you are bound to make a mark on a youngster's life.

• Teach classes that focus on your special skills as well as experience.  Maybe woodworking, quilting, or simple instruction on working with technology, is in high demand in your community.

• Not only will you find yourself smiling a lot more, but you will also be keeping yourself active, social, and healthy. Through mentoring, you are leaving a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

Explore

Would you like to travel more, visiting countries you have never seen? Maybe your bucket list includes visiting every state in the country. Whatever the dream, retirement is a great time to explore, no matter what your definition of travel is.  

• Many travel agencies offer tours, cruises, as well as day trips that are designed for senior travelers. They often provide safety precautions and guides that offer protection as well as information. You can also take advantage of discounts for seniors, or for off-season travel. Our communities offer many day-trips and weekend getaways, so there is always opportunity to get out and explore!

• Explore museums, parks, and hit the pavement. Open yourself up to a new world of culture – you never know what new interests you may find!

• Check out local festivals or concerts as a way to taste the local flavors of your area.

• Camping is a great way to commune with nature, explore the great outdoors, and have plenty of time for relaxation. Consider buying or renting a camper, buying a timeshare, or renting a cabin to combine comfort and exploration. Being out in nature is shown to have a tremendous impact on our overall health, so what better time to get some sunshine and fresh air than now!

Develop A New Hobby

Working hard for so many years, you may have put off pursuing leisurely hobbies. Or maybe you’ve had a hobby, and finally want to pursue it further. Retirement is the perfect time to get started!

• The number one thing to remember about a hobby is that it must be something you enjoy. Don't take on things that make you frustrated or unhappy. It should be something that is fun and that you look forward to doing.

• Hobbies can be anything from reading books, or gardening to singing in a chorus. Maybe you have always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument, cook French cuisine, or crochet a blanket. Genealogy is a great pastime as well as a fun way to chart your family history.  

• The rewards for having a hobby are numerous. A hobby is a great stress-reliever and gives you a sense of purpose. It may also bring out some talents you didn't even know you had!

• Our Integrated programming is an excellent start to picking up hobbies and trying new things. Check out our nearest community’s activity calendar at any time to see what fun and exciting things our residents are pursuing.

Get Social

The American Journal of Epidemiology and Ageing Research Reviews conducted research that suggests that by creating strong social ties, you can increase your cognitive health and minimize your risk of dementia and heart disease. And the great thing about getting social....it is so easy! Even if you are an introvert, you can find like-minded persons to share your interests with. Some social activities might be:

• Dancing
• Book Clubs
• Yoga or Other Exercise Classes  
• Church
• Family Functions
• Movie Night or Other Night Out Entertainment
• Cooking Classes
• Volunteering
• Part-time Jobs

Keep in touch with old friends but meet new ones too! Check out community resources and scheduled activities within your city or neighborhood to find whatever group interests you.

Key Takeaways

There are so many things that you can do to make the most out of your retirement years.  You are beginning a new chapter of your life, so fill it with all the new and fun things that you may not have had the chance to do before.  At Integrated Senior Lifestyles, our focus is on your health and happiness. A fresh beginning starts with a fresh mindset – and at Integrated, your new life starts here!