Top activities for seniors
If you think retirement will be your time to do nothing at all for as long as you want, you might want to think again. That backyard hammock may be calling your name, but too much rest and relaxation can lead to boredom, depression, and loneliness.
Staying active can enhance physical and mental health and promote closer relationships with your friends and family. Let’s talk about why an active retirement is important, what types of activities may be right for you, and how to get started.
Why activities matter for seniors
Maybe you’ve been planning for retirement for months or even years. You know what you’re retiring from, but do you know what you’re retiring to?
Sure, no longer having the anxiety and stress associated with your job can be a big plus. But your retirement shouldn’t just be about what you’re not doing any more; it should be about the things you’re now able to do, or to do more of.
That’s where activities for seniors come in. They’re important for several reasons. They can help combat boredom, which can set in when every day is just like another – even in paradise. Regular, structured activities can give you purpose and a sense of using your time meaningfully.
Beyond fighting boredom, activities for seniors can help reduce or prevent depression. How? Mental stimulation helps preserve cognitive abilities and may reduce the risk of dementia.1 If your activities include physical as well as mental pursuits – and they should – they can enhance your total well-being and longevity, and help reduce your risk of chronic disease. And if your activities get you out of the house and talking, playing, and working with others, they can help reduce loneliness, a potential source of depression.
Health benefits of staying active
Research on activities for seniors consistently shows that retirees who aren’t physically and mentally active can face higher risks to their health. For example, socially isolated seniors have a 27% higher risk of dementia, according to one study.2
Seniors who aren’t physically active are at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other chronic diseases, according to the National Institute on Aging and the World Health Organization.3 Those seniors are also adding a significant risk factor for falling, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says that one in four adults aged 65 or older falls each year, a potentially devastating event.4 You don’t want to be one of them.
You’re not in this alone
If you’re a senior or know someone who is, you know that it’s not always easy for seniors to be active. It can require motivation and encouragement. Fortunately, you, and the seniors you know, aren’t in this alone. Friends and family can provide crucial support, both logistical and emotional, with positive results.
For example, spouses can be powerful motivators for each other, engaging in activities together and even gaining new ways to deepen their relationship. Adult children can help too, introducing their parents to new activities and new technologies, and providing transportation help when needed. Even grandchildren can be encouraged to help their grandparents stay active with backyard baseball, frisbee catching, kite flying, and other activities.
Types of activities for seniors
There’s no singular activity – physical or mental – that seniors should adopt. But for the activities to “stick” and be rewarding, they should be based on a senior’s specific interests, abilities, and health status. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:
1. Walking clubs
Walking is a great activity for seniors seeking physical exercise. Seniors with stamina could consider upgrading this activity to include group hikes through new or favorite landscapes.
2. Swimming or water aerobics
You can join a club and do this indoors or outdoors, and it’s great for strengthening muscles and endurance.
3. Yoga, tai chi, and gardening
These activities offer some light activity as well as bringing a sense of calmness.
4. Book clubs
Broaden your horizons and then discuss your learnings with like-minded people. This stimulates the mind and doubles as a social activity.
5. Learn a musical instrument
You could even join – or put together – a band.
6. Learn a new language
Retirement is the perfect time to add new skills, like speaking a different language, to your life. Then, find people to speak it with.
7. Continuing education
Take an adult education class in a subject that’s always fascinated you.
8. Volunteer
For seniors who don’t want to have time to be lonely, social activities can include volunteering at a local nonprofit.
9. Stay on top of your financial plan
Tracking your goals over time is a crucial detail of living your retirement to the fullest. Make sure you’re engaging in regular check-ins with a professional about your financial planning.
The excuses in the way of staying active
As a senior, you can have every intention of taking up new activities but find practical or other obstacles that get in the way. There are some common barriers to activities for seniors – and, fortunately, common solutions.
Transportation can be a big challenge, especially for seniors who no longer drive. But there may be senior transportation services or rideshare options you can use. This is one place where friends and family can help. Another roadblock can be cost. Few things in life are free, and the cost of activities for seniors can be prohibitive. Fortunately, many organizations – from senior centers to religious organizations and local government programs – have low-cost or no-cost options.
Seniors also need to consider the impact that physical activities can have on their health. Such activities need to be safe and appropriate. Your healthcare providers can give you guidance here. Consult them.
Sometimes, the biggest challenge to getting active isn’t practical at all: it’s getting started. In addition to encouragement from family and friends, consider starting with small, realistic goals: take and expand your daily walks rather than aiming for the starting line at the Boston Marathon. If you haven’t been in a classroom in decades, take an adult education class before you decide to enroll at a university to get a degree. And when you do achieve your goals, be sure to celebrate your progress with others.
If you’re a senior looking to become more active, the best time to start is now. Consider your interests and abilities, research your options, consult healthcare providers, start small, and be sure to include friends or family in your plans. Getting and staying active is a great way to help ensure a successful retirement.