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Humans are social creatures who flourish around other people. Introverts may shy away from things like public speaking, but like everybody, meaningful connections to other people make them feel better.
It’s important for people to maintain relationships as they get older, especially ones that help them feel active, excited, and healthier. Everyone is unique and, so long as you get a positive result, there’s no wrong path to take.
But let’s check out a few common ways that older adults in retirement keep busy and productive.
Group Activities
Finding people to do group exercises or activities with is key to being happy and healthy later on. Perhaps your neighbours are like-minded people you can call to go for a walk.
Those living in retirement homes always have people nearby who may be interested in getting some exercise. The best retirement homes in Kingston and Southern Ontario foster a wide range of activities indoors and outdoors.
Residents can go for a swim, take a yoga class, play video games, watch movies, and countless more things. These activities accommodate a range of skills, experiences, and abilities.
They’re fun to do solo but tend to be better with friends. Whether you want to play games inside or get the body moving outdoors, you’ll be mentally stimulated and feel good physically.
Community Connections
Older adults have many gifts they can share with the community around them, who hopefully embrace wisdom from elders. Those still attached to their profession can mentor some youth or volunteer or work part-time in some capacity.
They could advocate for a cause that means something important to them. Strengthening old bonds and forging new ones can be a great way for older adults to maintain ties with people around them, near and far.
Play Music, Do Art
Group activities don’t need to involve physical exercise to give older adults a sense of communion, purpose, and pleasure. If you play an instrument, spend time with other musicians and try to make some nice sounds. Even if you don’t make it to Carnegie Hall, the fun makes it worth it! If you don’t play an instrument, it’s never too late to learn. Try some basic chords on a guitar or shake a tambourine and just keep time.
Try being in a book club devoted to a beloved author you want to reread or someone you’ve never read before. Maybe take up painting or sketching. If you push yourself in a direction you never expected to go, you could surprise yourself and learn something really valuable. These journeys can be a lot of fun and are a great way to bond with other people.
Moving out of the working phase of your life and into retirement can be extremely busy, rewarding, and fun. But you’ll have to form a new set of routines after the 9-5 schedule, is over. The above examples are great, but older adults can also use them as prompts to find the right path for them.