Retirement Activities

Retirement Activities are really important. What will YOU do after retirement?

Retirement is the next big adventure in life -- to the worker, it sounds so good -- retirement! BUT after you've been retired for a few weeks/months, then what?

Whether you choose to retire at age 50 or age 70, You can't just sit there.. you can't..

You don't quite know what to do all day - day after day - but you do logically know that sitting like a coach potato is NOT good for you, Mentally or Physically!

Did you know that, in retirement, your ability to learn new skills, the ability remain learning, is the same from age 20 to age 60?

Your brain doesn't stop as we've been told... unless you stop using it. We all need to be challenged in life... you need to continue to think -- whether by reading interesting books and using your imagination, working on artsy projects or hobbies, or taking classes!

Use your Brain, Keep Active

Do you have retirement hobbies? Things you've done for years in your off-work hours? Think of your pre-work years... what did you totally enjoy as a young person that you might be interested in again?

Read!

The library is great for books -- you can often order the books you want, online, using your libraries website.

Some libraries will email you when the book is available... and VOILA... pick it up! Read to learn about any topic or simply novels to keep your brain thinking.

You could even get some books on tape/cd's... and just sit in the sunshine listening to a new story!

If you'd prefer to purchase books, consider Amazon.com as you can buy used books really cheaply (in fact, I pay more in the $3.99 postage/handling than I do for many books!)

Write!

Write letters, journals, your life story in memoir writing...

Writing is good as you dive deep within yourself to a quiet place where your memories are stored. Writing forces your brain to continue thinking. Some day, your family will love reading your thoughts, your memories.

Do it for yourself or find a kindred soul, a senior pen pal with whom you can share life through letters. Find an online retirement groups of kindred souls that you can chat with on a daily basis.

Look in the next Adult Ed advertisement you get from the local high school or community college. Why not take a class? Learn to do something new (crochet, healthy cooking, writing), or renew your knowledge on a subject (car repair, psychology, gardening).

Never Stop Learning!

Go on Day Trips

Do some senior travel (day trips via the local community programs or out of state travel with senior groups).

Work? Volunteer?

Retirement jobs, or senior volunteers, keep your skills updated, and the brain functioning. Do you have a skill to share as a mentor under the Retired Senior Volunteer Program?

Think about talents from your youth that you never had time to pursue(arts, music, study, writing, painting, fun stuff!)

Friendships

Do you want less socializing and more close friendships? How important are your co-worker relationships? Do you have a support system away from work?

Pick up that phone, or write a letter, to a long lost friend... you both separated when work lives and raising families made it nearly impossible to keep up a friendship but you might just renew the friendship again!

Join a book club from your local library, or some church groups, or call upon an old friend you haven't made time for while you were busy working.

Join online retirement groups and find some friendship and chit chat from the comfort of your home.

Structure

Do you need structure in your life -- a reason to get up in the morning? If you are one like that, you might NEED something in your life... part time work, volunteering, some sense of a time table on life. Do some community service -- give back to your community while you are actively able.

What Will YOU Do In your Retirement Years?

What will you do with your day when you retire? You spend 8 hours a day at work (or more), and suddenly you have 8 free hours every day. You can't just sit in a rocker, no way, so what now?

Tell me what you do to keep busy (mentally and physically fit) on a daily basis! Help others to keep grounded, and live happy and productive retired lives!

Thank you!