What Will Your Retirement Look Like? 4 Tips to Stay Active and Involved

Whether you’re retired or plan to soon, you might wonder what you can do with your newfound free time. Losing the structure of full-time work is a big change, but many seniors find the freedom energizing and exciting. We’ve compiled some tips to make your retirement one of the most fulfilling times in your life.

Give Back: Volunteering With a Cause You Care About

Do you have any organizations or causes that have piqued your interest? One way to make your retirement fulfilling is to volunteer and further the cause. Plus, volunteering isn’t all selfless. It’s a great way to meet people with similar interests, build community, and find a sense of purpose in your new lifestyle.

Getting Started:

 

Stay Active: Working Out or Trying a New Sport

Exercise builds your physical and mental well-being, which are crucial for a fulfilling retirement. Regular workouts bring huge benefits. Low-impact activities like biking, yoga, or swimming are especially popular among seniors.

Maybe you’re a little more competitive—luckily, there are plenty of sports filled with retirement-age members. Pickleball is an increasingly popular sport in the retirement communities we serve. Golf and tennis are other fun, low-impact sports if you want to have friendly competition with your peers.

Getting Started:

  • Look for local senior exercise groups
  • Find instructional videos online
  • Ask your gym about any sports leagues

 

Join a Club: Building New Friendships and Filling Your Social Calendar

Socialization is essential to people. We need friends, acquaintances, and community to feel happy and fulfilled. Without the routine of going to the office, you might find it more difficult to make new friends. Luckily, there are plenty of official and unofficial gatherings to help you meet people who share your values.

For example, at Western State Bank, we have the Good Neighbor Club for customers ages 50 or better. The club offers events, activities, seminars, and more for members to have some fun and connect. Additionally, members enjoy exclusive banking benefits.

Getting Started:

 

Be a Lifelong Learner: Free or Affordable Ways to Pursue Education in Retirement

You don’t have to stop learning when you finish school, and retirement is the perfect time to pick up the habit again. Do you have any personal interests you haven’t had time to explore? Now is the time to learn all about it.

It may sound simple, but reading is the perfect way to explore a topic in detail. You can go to your local library or bookstore to browse books on the topic and find one to get started. Take notes, find a relevant podcast, or form a book club with others who share the interest to further cement your learning.

Getting Started:

  • Check your local community college for relevant courses
  • Find others who share your interest
  • Check Facebook Events and Meetup.com for local workshops

These are just a few of the ways you can make your retirement exciting and energizing. We hope this gives you a good place to start on your new adventure.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Good Neighbor Club, contact us today.

Back to Articles