According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average age at which people retire in Australia is 55.4 years. So, you have enough time on your hand to stay active and catch up with everything that you have always wanted to do. Retirement villages are close-knit communities where everyone wants to lead a relaxed life after hanging up their boots.
The retirement lifestyle is not just about relaxing but also engaging in activities that you never otherwise got time to do. Life in retirement can be as fun and exciting and retirement villages offer many opportunities to participate in many lifestyle and recreational activities.
Here are some ways you can live your life to the fullest in a retirement village.
How to spend your time in a Retirement Village?
Just have a conversation:
Simple, easy, and fun, talking is the best way to socialise in a retirement village. While you can engage in as many activities as you want, sometimes just sitting and having a quiet conversation with a fellow resident can make your day. You can talk to your partner or your friends at the retirement village.
Sharing stories, life experiences, joys, and sorrows with people living in a close-knit community can sometimes be gratifying. One of the significant problems that are elderly people face is the lack of communication. It leads to isolation and depression, increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. In a retirement village, you are not alone. Many others are going through the same phase of life as yours. There will be many people to talk with over a cup of coffee.
Join a book club:
Most retirement villages these days host a book club. It is one of the popular activities amongst residents. Not only will you get to read interesting books every day but cosying up with a book is one of the most relaxing activities you can do. Keep with the latest releases or revisit the old classics; books can be your best friend in retirement.
Join a physical activity Group:
So, you have started a conversation, that’s a great start, but it is only the beginning. Experts highly recommend adding physical exercise to your retirement lifestyle. It can be anything, from a daily walk around the beautiful retirement village or water aerobics or practising tai chi. Low-impact exercises such as these will keep you in top shape and increase your flexibility, endurance, and core strength.
Start gardening:
Gardening is one of the many things you now have time for in retirement. Start a herb or veggie garden or grow your favourite flowers. Gardening has numerous health benefits for everyone from children to the elderly. Many retirement villages these days host gardening activities for their residents. It gives them a pleasant, safe, and accessible space to spend time without much physical toil.
Catch up on movies:
Movies are a great way to improve mood and mental state. Movies help us to think positive thoughts, reminisce and emote emotional responses. This is particularly helpful in retirement as our lives and health may start to challenge us. Everything from funny, slice-of-life movies to thrillers can help you stay happy. Movies are also a great way to hang out with friends, family and other residents in the village. It increases social interaction and is overall a motivating recreation for residents.
Meditation:
If you were wondering how to spend your time in retirement without doing much physical work, then meditation has numerous benefits. You can take it up as a form of recreation or as a hobby if you like. Many retirement villages conduct classes on mantra meditation, guided meditation, mindfulness meditation, and more as part of the Lifestyle and Wellness Programs. Meditation not only calms the mind but will also help you to manage several physical issues like tension headaches and breathing troubles.
Learn a new skill:
Retirement is not the end. So, just because you are no longer working does not mean you cannot learn a new skill. Pursuing a new interest like acting, singing, photography, or a new sport is a great way to have fun in your retired life. Find out what classes are offered in your retirement village and sign up for the ones you are interested in. For the more adventurous, you can also return to university to audit courses in subjects that interest you, like literature, history, language, and film.
In the End
The bottom line is there are many things to do in your retirement that can bring you joy. Make sure whichever activity you are pursuing in the retirement village interests you. Engaging in something you are passionate about brings a different kind of fulfilment to your life.