Senior citizen age is typically defined as age 65 and older, and this is also around the age of retirement. This stage of life can be a huge transition for a lot of people because they go from working to not working, and some may even go from being physically and socially active to not being active in these areas. It can be hard for seniors to find ways to occupy their time— which is why some fall into isolation and sedentary lifestyles.
#1: Artistic Practices
Creative Writing
Creative writing is a great activity that helps keep your brain active— which is important as we age. Keeping your brain active helps to improve memory, which can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. When writing, you can write anything, from fiction to poetry, short stories, or full novels. You can even self-publish on Amazon, or start an opinion blog.
Music
Learning how to play an instrument is another creative way to keep your brain active, and it’s not as hard as some people may believe. And you don’t even have to take professional lessons— although you can— because there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube and other social media platforms. Some of the easiest musical instruments to learn in adulthood include the keyboard (electric piano), drums, and t6y68
Painting
If you’re more into art, then painting is a great activity that will also keep your brain active. Again, you can take lessons or watch tutorials online, but attending classes in person will also help you stay social. You can also take classes in drawing, ceramics, sewing, or woodworking to boost your creativity.
#2: Cultural Explorations
Learning a New Language
Another great way to keep your brain active is to learn something new, like another language. Don’t think that it’s too late to learn another language in your senior years, as you can successfully learn a new language at any age. Some of the easiest languages for native English speakers to learn include Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, and Swedish— but you can try learning any language you want, including American Sign Language.
Traveling the World
Many seniors take the time to travel the world after they retire, and some even choose to retire to another country. This is a great cultural activity to partake in, if you’re able. Traveling around the world is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons, and you’ll also become self-dependent, meet new people, and even get into physical shape.
#3: First Aid Techniques
Basic first aid and life support techniques are great for everyone to learn because you never know when these skills will come in handy for yourself and others. One of the most useful first aid skills to learn is CPR, as many people aren’t properly trained in the correct way to perform it. Although “bad” CPR can be better than not giving CPR at all, it’s even better to learn the proper technique. Even if you’re a retired healthcare worker, it’s still a good idea to seek recertification, and you can do this in person or online through websites like protrainings.com.
#4: Physical Activity
Dancing
Getting physically active can be harder as we age, especially if we aren’t active in our younger years. Fortunately, there are fun ways to get active, and dancing is one of them. It can be considered both a creative and physical activity, and you can take lessons or learn online.
Sports
Taking up a new sport in retirement is another way to stay physically active. Most seniors prefer sports like golf, tennis, or evening bowling, but you can try any sport you feel comfortable with. Sports also allow you to spend time with others, which helps you remain socially active.
Yoga
Yoga is a type of stretch, exercise, and spiritual practice that requires you to use both your mind and body. It’s a great way to improve flexibility and strength, as well as increase your heart rate. You can also try other types of exercise, such as swimming, aerobics, and even walking.
#5: Technical Skills
Technical skills are associated with computers, and this is a great skill to learn in today’s digital world. There is so much that you can access with your computer, tablet, or smartphone— as long as you have an internet connection. In fact, improving your technical skills will help you achieve everything on this list.
No matter what you choose to do in retirement, make sure you’re staying physically, socially, and mentally active.
