In the United States, the retirement age is around 65, as this is the time when most Americans can permanently leave the workforce and live off of pensions and other benefits that they have earned/saved up to be able to do this. However, retirement can be a hard transition for many individuals because instead of going to work every day, they have to find other ways to occupy their time.
Here are some of the best activities for retirees to try.
1. Travel The World
If you’ve been saving for retirement, traveling is probably one of the first things you want to do. Traveling the world is hard to do while you’re working (unless your job allows you to travel or you have a remote position), but traveling the world can also get expensive. However, there are places that you can travel to that won’t break the bank. You can also take this time to learn a new language, making traveling the world easier and more enjoyable.
Some of the easiest languages for native English speakers to learn include:
- Dutch
- French
- Norwegian
- Italian
- Spanish
- Swedish
These languages are typically easy to learn at any age, not just when you’re young.
2. Study The Arts
Art, music, writing, and many other creative forms are great ways to express yourself, which is essential to mental and cognitive health overall. Studies have shown that learning to play a musical instrument at an older age is beneficial to brain health.
You don’t have to be perfect at an instrument— in fact, many musicians will tell you that you don’t have to be able to read sheet music to be able to play.
3. Play Brain Games
Another way to sharpen your cognitive health is by playing brain games. This can be putting together a jigsaw puzzle or solving a crossword puzzle. There are even puzzle games that you can play on your phone. Whichever one you choose, you’re actively decreasing your risk of developing memory loss and age-related diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Learn CPR And First Aid
This is a skill that everyone should learn as early as possible. CPR and first aid are life-saving techniques you can learn in person or online. You’ll learn the proper way to perform CPR on infants, small children, older children, and adults. You’ll even learn how to apply the Heimlich maneuver to each age group.
When it comes to first aid, you’ll learn how to treat:
- Broken bones
- Excessive bleeding
- First and second-degree burns
5. Grow Your Own Food/Gardening
REtirment is also a great time to try a new skill and hobby such as gardening. Gardening has been associated with better cognitive and physical health as it gives you something to care for and is excellent for light physical activity. You’ll also be able to grow your own food and save money on frequent trips to the grocery store for produce. Depending on where you live and how much space you have, you can grow:
- Flowers
- Fruit
- Herbs
- Plant
- Vegetables
Gardening can also help you connect with nature, benefiting mental and physical health. You can even expand into landscaping all around your home.
6. Become More Physically Active
Physical activity is just as important in later life as in your early years. Mobility decreases over the years, by staying physically active can help you maintain your mobility. Staying physically active can also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and even cognitive decline. Some of the best exercises to consider include:
- Aerobics
- Jogging
- Light weightlifting
- Pilates
- Swimming
- Walking
- Yoga
Exercising can also make you more socially active, as some retirees tend to become closed off. In addition, socially active retirees tend to have better mental health than isolated ones.
7. Adopt A Pet
Finally, animals can also be great mental health boosters, and adopting a pet has many other benefits. For example, many pets work as ESAs (emotional support animals) to provide companionship and therapeutic benefits to those with physical or mental disabilities.
Labrador retrievers tend to make the best emotional support animals/dogs, but you can choose any dog and just about any animal— just be sure to check and see what’s allowed within your state.
It’s important to remain active physically, mentally, and socially upon retirement to fully enjoy it. Try any of these activities listed above or any others you are interested in.
This article was produced and syndicated by Arrest Your Debt.
