How Seniors Can Fight Off Boredom
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Being a retiree can be fun and exciting. After all, it’s a new chapter of your life where you get to do nothing and you finally have the time to do the things you were too busy for when you were working. However, when the list of exciting things to do runs out and you find yourself empty of ideas, retirement can also be incredibly boring.
On top of feelings of isolation and restlessness that are common amongst seniors, boredom is definitely something that you don’t need. That said, here are some ways you can keep the boredom away and enrich your life with new things:
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1. Make Friends
Socializing is one of the best ways to stave off boredom no matter your age. If you live in a senior living facility, you will have plenty of opportunities to make friends with people of your own age. But even if you are still living at home, there are a lot of ways you can make new friends and connect with old ones. You can try hanging out at the senior community center or attend local gatherings in the neighborhood. You can also meet up with old friends that are living in your area, or if this is not possible, talk to them virtually (technology has truly come a long way).
Aside from killing boredom, socializing is a great way to keep your mind and body healthy. It is also effective in decreasing feelings of depression, loneliness, and isolation, which are very common among the elderly.
2. Pick Up A New Hobby
Now that you have all the time in the world to try a new hobby, do it! Start with the things that you’ve always wanted to try but didn’t really have time for when you were working, be it knitting, baking, origami, painting, or even video gaming. And when you get sick of that hobby, try a new one.
Hobbies can stimulate your brain and keep your fingers nimble for more years to come, as well as give you a sense of accomplishment whenever you finish a painting or whip up a fresh batch of cookies. Moreover, engaging in a hobby is the number one way to stave off boredom, especially on slow days (but let’s face it, days in retirement are always slow).
3. Adopt A Pet
A pet provides companionship and a sense of purpose. Choose a pet that best fits your physical capabilities and tolerance. If you still have high mobility and can bend down without your back hurting for the next hour, consider a dog. If you want a more relaxed pet, a cat is the best option. However, if you don’t want a pet that is always moving around the house, consider a bird, fish, a turtle, or a small rodent.
If you don’t want to fully commit to a pet, you may want to look into fostering. Alternatively, you can try to volunteer at your local animal shelter where you can spend time with the animals without having to care for one 24/7.
4. Travel
While your health still permits, see the rest of the world (or the country). Now is your chance to take extended vacations without worrying about running out of vacation days at work or the kids at home. Make the most out of it! Just make sure to consult with a doctor first before planning your trip; you have to ensure that you are fit to travel and do the activities that you plan to do on your vacation.
Even just planning the trip can already stave off boredom. More importantly, it can give you something to look forward to.
5. Exercise
Exercise is essential at any age, but when you get older, it’s the best way to keep your muscles as strong. Moreover, exercise is one of the best ways to kill time when you have nothing else to do.
Find a routine that works best for your physical capability (or ask your doctor). Better yet, find an exercise class to join so that you can also socialize with other people. It’s also a good reason to get out of the house more often.
When you’re retired, you may suddenly find yourself with a lot more time in your hands than you’re used to. Now that the kids are all grown up and you are no longer working, filling up those hours with something else can be challenging, but definitely not impossible. Try these tips when you find yourself bored out of your mind in retirement, and then when you’re done with them, there are a million other things to do now that you have the time for them.
