Retirement means newfound free time—but for many older Americans, the lack of structure (and resulting social isolation) can be a source of stress.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. From fun fitness classes to stimulating day trips and world adventures, here are three ways you can make the most of your Golden Years.
Stay Active
Did you know that the average adult over 60 sits for about nine hours a day? Sedentary behavior – even less than 9 hours per day -- is associated with overweight and an increased risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.1 Fortunately, research shows that nearly any kind of movement—be it walking, swimming, biking, gentle yoga, golfing, or even gardening—can have positive (and often immediate) health benefits.2
When planning a new exercise regime, aim to make it enjoyable and rewarding (just be sure to check in with your doctor before getting started, especially if you are not normally active or the activity you would like to pursue is higher in intensity).3 Try an exercise class for older adults or boost your mood with a walk in nature—and better yet, invite a friend.
For optimal health benefits, be sure to keep your mind active as well: Take a class, join a book club, tackle a jigsaw or crossword puzzle, or challenge yourself to learn to paint, quilt, or play a musical instrument. Doing so with family, friends, and others in your community can be especially helpful.4
Seize the Day & Get Out of the House
Have you ever daydreamed of taking a day trip to a winery, camping under the stars, or taking a dip in the ocean—but were stuck in a cubicle or office? No more of that.
Your newfound free time provides the perfect opportunity for an out-of-town adventure. Catch an exhibit at a museum in a neighboring city, picnic at a scenic spot with a friend, go on a one-day meditation or wellness retreat, enjoy your favorite musicians at an outdoor concert, or, if pampering is in order, indulge in a massage and spa treatment at a local resort.
Volunteering is another way to get out of the house, develop new friendships, and strengthen your sense of meaning and purpose. Love animals? Volunteer at a local animal rescue. Relish art and music? Inquire about opportunities at your local museum or concert hall. Want to support cancer research? Participate in a local walkathon or community fundraiser!
Go on an Out of the Box Adventure
One of the best things about retirement is the ability to travel—and with no office to get back to, you might as well make that traveling experience more enjoyable with a slow travel adventure.
What is slow travel? Slow travel, an offshoot of the slow food movement, encourages travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture and take their time exploring new places, rather than rushing from one tourist attraction to another.
Wanting to brush up on your Spanish? Learn from the locals in Mexico, South America or Spain. Hankering to try your hand at pottery, jewelry making, or other craft? Take a course with a local skilled artisan. History buff? Explore past civilizations by walking in the steps of your favorite poet or author, visiting ancient castles, biking through the countryside, enjoying a concert at a centuries-old monastery, or delving into local histories with a local over a beverage or snack.
While long-term travel might sound prohibitively expensive, there are ways to make this travel more approachable. Vacation hosts on rental websites, like Airbnb, often provide sharply discounted weekly and monthly rates. Hotel reservation sites may also offer highly discounted monthly rates at hotels, and some even offer great deals with private hosts.
Crave something a bit more structured? Consider taking a cruise led by a historian, and rub elbows with like-minded travelers.
Just make sure your travel plans harmonize with the vision of your spouse or partner, whatever adventure you choose.
The time is now. Create a vision for your life, embrace it, and prove that for the young at heart, youth is not wasted on the young
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References
1 https://time.com/8773/now-theres-another-reason-sitting-will-kill-you/
2 https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf
3 https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/heart-and-vascular-blog/2017/february/do-you-need-a-heart-check-up-before-starting-an-exercise-program
4 https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults#mind
