From a young age, most of us are encouraged to start saving for retirement. But what happens once those days actually arrive? It’s normal to feel lost and confused with all the new free time. However, being retired doesn’t mean you have to be bored. Here are a few entertaining things you can do during retirement.
Spend Quality Time With Family Members
Have you ever missed out on family events because of work? For instance, maybe you haven’t spent as much time with your grandchildren as you would’ve liked. Take advantage of retirement life by exploring your family tree and spending time with loved ones. Here are a few things you can do with your favorite people.
Travel the World
If you’ve always dreamed of traveling, now’s your chance. Take a trip with your loved ones or visit family that lives far away. While you can go all-out and fly across the globe, you don’t have to break the bank to travel — there are plenty of budget-friendly trips you can take.
Share Stories and Advice
Share some of your favorite stories with younger family members. You could tell them about your family history or just share a funny anecdote. Along with stories, consider divulging some of the wisdom you’ve gathered over the years. For example, you could assist a relative with their financial future by helping them set up an early retirement plan.
Play Board Games
You don’t have to go outside to enjoy time with family — there’s plenty to do in the comfort of your own home. One popular activity that’s fun for the whole family is board games. Play for fun, or turn it into a friendly competition. Of course, games are just one possibility — you can spend time with your family doing whatever you please. A few ideas include watching movies, eating meals together, and having a good, old-fashioned conversation.
Star in a Play
Show off your star qualities by participating in a community play. Many local theater groups host productions for the whole community to enjoy. If you’re apprehensive about being on stage, see if there’s a small role available. Alternatively, you could volunteer behind the scenes.
Take a Course
It’s never too late to stop learning. If there’s a skill or subject you’ve always been curious about, use your newfound free time to explore it further. Lots of community colleges offer classes for older adults (both online and in-person). Here are a few advantages of taking a class:
- Personal growth
- Mental stimulation
- Socialization
By learning about a new topic, you’ll expand your worldview and gain new interests. Moreover, many courses require reading and writing, which are both great ways to stay engaged mentally. Finally, courses give you a chance to make new friends who have shared interests. One of the best things about classes is that they’re available in virtually any subject — here are a few you can try.
Foreign Language
Spruce up your communication skills by learning a new language. This will be especially useful if you plan to travel. If you don’t want to study in person, there are plenty of applications that can help you learn a foreign language online.
Creative Writing
Let your imagination shine by taking a creative writing course. These courses let you experiment with a variety of genres, from historical and science fiction to horror and mystery. They’re also a good opportunity to forge friendships with fellow budding writers.
Public Speaking
Public speaking is daunting for people of all ages. If you’re nervous speaking in front of crowds and want to overcome that fear, consider trying a public speaking class. Over the course of a few weeks, you’ll build your communication skills and learn how to speak confidently on all occasions.
Join a Book Club
If you like reading, talking, and having a good time, then a book club is the perfect activity for you. All you need is a good book and a few interested friends to create your own club. Here are a few benefits of being in a book club:
- Socialization opportunities
- Mental stimulation
- Improved writing and oral skills
- Improved teamwork skills
- Reduced stress
Whether you’re a book lover looking for more reading opportunities or someone who just wants to socialize, talk, and eat good snacks, a book club is a great activity to try.
Explore Volunteer Opportunities
Being retired offers a chance to give back to the community through volunteering. There are several worthy causes just looking for people to help out. Here are a few volunteer positions to try.
Mentor Young People
Organizations like churches, youth centers, and youth groups are always looking for kind-hearted philanthropists to provide mentorship and advice to young adults. For example, Big Brothers Big Sisters connects underprivileged children to good role models.
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
If you love animals, spend your spare time working with them at a local shelter. You may be asked to groom pets, play with them, or take dogs on walks. Not only will you be assisting the shelter, but you’ll also be endlessly entertained by adorable animals.
Help Out at Your Local Library
See if your neighborhood library is looking for volunteers. This is a great way to meet people, engage with the community, and support young readers. You could do anything from managing the checkout desk to helping develop a reading program.
Work on Your Bucket List
In your younger years, you may have created a bucket list of things you’d like to accomplish in life. Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel to Europe, or perhaps you’ve dreamed of taking a hot air balloon ride. How many of those activities have you actually done? If there’s anything on your bucket list that’s left unchecked, now’s your chance to try it.
If you don’t have a bucket list, it’s never too late to make one. Think of some things you’d like to try, write them down, then see how many you can get done. As you gain new experiences, you’ll probably come up with even more things to put on your list.
Get a Part-Time Job
Learn a new skill (and make some extra money) by getting a part-time job. This doesn’t have to be related to the career you had during your working life — you can explore any topic that interests you. Here are a few popular jobs for older adults.
Caregiver
Many older individuals have experience raising children and perhaps even grandchildren of their own. You can put those skills to good use by serving as a part-time caregiver. There are plenty of caregiver agencies that can connect you to clients — alternatively, you can reach out directly to community members.
Office Job
Visit a local office (such as a legal or accounting firm) and see if anyone is hiring. Lots of offices need help with organizational tasks, such as filing or scanning. Not only will you make money, but you’ll also connect with young professionals and form friendships.
Driver
Do you have a car and enjoy driving? If so, a part-time driving position may be just the job for you. You can get out of the house and earn some extra income by working as a driver for delivery applications (such as UberEats or Grubhub). Most of these companies even let you set your own schedule.
Work on Your Physical Health
It’s important to take care of your well-being as you get older. This involves maintaining a well-rounded diet and getting plenty of physical exercise. Of course, it can be hard to stick to a fitness schedule, but fortunately, there are plenty of fun, healthy activities to try out during retirement:
- Sign up for a fitness class
- Go on daily walks
- Practice yoga and meditation
- Exercise regularly at home
- Join a sports league
Since the mind and body are connected, taking care of your physical health can also reduce stress and improve mental wellness.
Join a Senior Living Community
Retirement is a fun and relaxing time in life. However, after some time, you might start to miss the sense of purpose or community you had while working. If you’re looking for opportunities to socialize, stay active, and achieve fulfillment, a senior living home may be the right step. At our retirement community in PA, we offer tons of amenities that keep residents safe, happy, and healthy during their golden years. Here are just a few of the things we offer:
- Skilled nursing and caregiving services
- Bustling activities schedule
- Nutritious, delicious meals
Every resident enjoys a comfortable, pleasant atmosphere with fellow older adults looking to make connections. The overarching goal is to help residents maintain a healthy lifestyle while also providing the entertainment and joy all older adults deserve. From community outings and family visits to movie nights and trivia games, you can rest assured you won’t get bored at Riddle Village. Request a brochure today to learn more!