Retirement is something that many people look forward to their entire working years. You know it will be that time where you can let your mind relax, not worry about the stress and responsibility that comes with working, and take control over what you choose to do with your time and your life. Today’s retired seniors are a different bunch though. No longer are they just satisfied to spend all their time relaxing; they also want to spend that free time being active. Staying active is excellent for both mental and physical well-being and can make the retirement years even more enjoyable.Â
If you will be retiring in 2021, or you’ve just recently retired and you’re looking for ways to stay active, here are some tips you can apply to your daily routine.
Set Up a Customized Exercise Plan
Often when you hear the words “exercise plan” it can create a sense of dread with thoughts that you need to hit the gym daily and work up a sweat. As a retiree, that’s not at all what your exercise plan needs to look like. Ideally, you want to aim for 150 active minutes each and every week, but there should be thought behind the exercises you choose.
Seniors can benefit from any exercises and physical activities that promote strength, flexibility, and balance. Some of the most common activities include biking, walking, and swimming. What’s great about these activities is that they offer all the physical and mental health benefits of a workout without feeling like a traditional workout. It’s also a good idea that you start doing daily stretches to ensure your body stays flexible and you have that full range of motion. Once again, there is no need to get fancy, just the basic stretches are perfect.
Make Physical Activity a Social Event
Sometimes, it can be helpful to look at working out and physical activity in a different light and frame it as a social event instead. A perfect example of this kind of physical activity that also involves a social aspect is golfing. Golfing gives seniors a way to get active outdoors with friends. You can even take it a step further and join a local golf club/course and start making it a regular activity.Â
If you find it too difficult to walk the full course with your golf clubs, it can be worth investing in your own golf cart. You can purchase something new or used and then search for aftermarket parts for customizations so that it works for your preferences. If you and your significant other both golf, you may even want to find another pair to share the cost of investing in a golf cart so you can form a group out on the course.
Explore New Hobbies and Activities
Sometimes, it’s a lack of motivation or interest that can have you feeling a big sluggish and this can most certainly happen in retirement. If you feel like you’re bored with the same old, same old in your life, why not embrace new opportunities, hobbies, and activities? You could join a class, a club, go on senior day trips and tours, travel, and basically step outside your comfort zone. Trying new things is a fabulous way to stay active because you’ll actually be excited to do each of those activities.
While retirement is certainly a chance to slow down in some aspects of your life, in other ways it can be your opportunity to live it up, try new things, get out there and be active, and really live life to its fullest.
