If you are working a full time job, that means 40-60 hours every week covered with work. When you retire, this will be a big amount of time in your hands. Sure, you will visit your relatives occasionally, or babysit your grandkids when they come home from school, but what will you do with the rest of the time?
Staying idle for many hours, and probably in isolation can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. It is important that you keep yourself occupied with something that will give you pleasure in your golden years.
Here are seven hobbies that you can pick up when you retire, including their benefits to you.
1. Enjoy some music
Music rejuvenates the body, and you can never be too old to enjoy some good music. Now that you are retired, it is time to reminisce about the old days with some oldies or your favorite music back in the day.
You can make your own music too. If you love composing music or even singing, you can awaken the talent at this time. Use your computer to record your songs. You will need VST plugins to put in some virtual instruments for your songs and mix the sounds in the computer.
Composing a song will give you a good avenue to express your thoughts. Singing and dancing to the song will work out your body to keep you fit.
2. Cycling
If you love biking or have always wanted to try it, you will have enough time to learn and perfect your cycling. Get the proper safety gear and training if needed, if a bike is all you need you can always purchase one, be and get ready to enjoy the moments. If it is too much for you to ride alone, having a few friends ride with you is a good idea.
Cycling is a good way of staying fit, which can lower your chances of contracting illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. Riding through nature with friends helps calm the mind, which is good for your mental health.
3. Volunteer
Giving back to society is a way of showing gratitude for what you have. It can enrich your life, give your life a new purpose and provide opportunities to meet and interact with other people. You get to focus on making a difference in other people’s lives, which can take your mind away from your own troubles. Interacting with other people and sharing stories help in keeping your mind healthy.
4. Gardening
Gardening is a good way to get you out in the sun. You benefit from vitamin D as you grow healthy foods for your meals. In addition, moving your body as you plant or water your plants is a form of exercise for you. You connect with nature, which has a calming effect on your body and mind.
5. Crocheting
Crocheting gives you an opportunity to make nice hats, scarves and blankets for your loved ones. If done with other people for instance, a club of other retirees, it provides a good chance to socialize. Crocheting works out several senses at a go, you need to coordinate your eyes with your hands as you move the thread and needles around. This improves your alertness and improves your soft motor skills.
6. Start a blog
After a full length of your career, you probably have a thing or two to share with the world. A good way to do this is to start a blog where you can share your life stories and teach others a few nuggets about life. You can join a group of other retirees doing the same for networking and socialization. Writing is therapeutic and a good way to improve your mental health.
7. Learn a new language
Now that you have all the time, and probably the money to travel the world, it would be good to learn a new language. Do not let the age deter you, you may be surprised how fast you can comprehend something new.
Besides giving you new opportunities to create friendships, it helps in improving your cognitive ability. This in turn lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion
The retirement period is the only time that most people are not bound by too many responsibilities. It is the time that most get to truly rest and enjoy life. It would be a big undoing if you let it slip away. Be active, pick up a new hobby or revive an old one and enjoy your sunset days.
–Written and provided by Nora Price