Guide to Staying Active in Retirement & Why it’s Important
Retirement is a major life event often associated with relaxation and leisure. However, staying physically active during this phase is important for maintaining good health and well-being. Regular exercise can help improve mobility, independence, and mental well-being while also reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Research has shown that retirement can increase the risk of clinical depression by up to 40% and the likelihood of developing at least one physical illness by 60%. Therefore, staying active during retirement is not just a way to pass the time but an investment in one’s own health and quality of life.
Tips for Staying Active in Retirement
When you retire, it’s not just about leaving a job. It’s stepping into a whole new chapter of life. And if you do something that truly means something to you, you’ll find yourself not only healthier but happier over the long term. Here are some ways to stay connected and keep active in retirement.
1. Explore New Hobbies
Retirement is a great time to explore new hobbies, reigniting passions and rediscovering interests. Trying new activities, whether hiking, golfing, bowling, arts and crafts, meditation, or any other activity, can stimulate the mind and promote emotional well-being. These activities can help retirees stay active, bringing a sense of accomplishment and rejuvenation to this new phase of life.
Benefits:
- Boosts cognitive functions, keeping the mind sharp.
- Promotes emotional well-being and reduces isolation.
- Facilitates socialisation and community engagement.
- Encourages lifelong learning and skill development.
- Enhances creativity and self-expression.
- Provides a sense of purpose and routine to daily life.
2. Go Swimming
Swimming offers retirees a wide range of health benefits as a holistic form of exercise. It’s not just a recreational activity; it provides a comprehensive workout that targets various body areas.
With 80% of seniors facing health concerns, the low-impact nature of swimming makes it an ideal choice for them. Regular swimming routines promote physical well-being and enhance cognitive functions, helping retirees maintain an active and agile lifestyle.
Benefits:
- Improves heart health through enhanced cardiovascular function.
- Strengthens muscles, focusing on the neck, shoulders, arms, hips, and legs.
- Provides a low-impact workout suitable for seniors.
- Reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
- Enhances flexibility and range of motion.
- Boosts brain power for improved cognitive sharpness.
3. Water/ Aqua Aerobics
Water or Aqua Aerobics is an excellent fitness routine designed specifically for older adults. The resistance provided by the buoyancy of water offers a comprehensive workout and therapeutic benefits. This exercise provides a balanced combination of physical exertion and relaxation for retirees, helping them stay fit and mentally contented in their golden years.
Benefits:
- Relieves joint pain, especially for arthritis patients.
- Reduces symptoms of arthritis and blood circulatory issues.
- Specifically designed for the well-being of older adults.
- Enhances mental well-being and promotes a sense of accomplishment.
- Builds strength effectively and tones muscles.
- Improves balance, reducing the risk of falls.
- Helps prevent injuries from falls.
4. Walk Regularly
Walking is a simple and effective way for retirees to stay healthy and active in retirement. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll in the park, a walk on the beach, or even a jaunt with a pet, this activity ensures that seniors get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.
Regular walks improve heart health, lower the risk of heart disease, and help lower blood pressure. They also enhance thinking skills, sharpen memory, and promote emotional well-being. Walking not only improves physical health but also enhances mental energy, uplifts mood, and boosts self-esteem. It’s an invaluable activity for seniors who want to prioritise staying active in retirement.
Benefits:
- Improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Enhances thinking skills and memory.
- Helps lower blood pressure.
- Improves mood and self-esteem.
- Provides mental energy and enhances emotional well-being.
- Promotes natural exfoliation during beach walks.
- Sunlight exposure helps alleviate depressive symptoms.
5. Learn Yoga
Yoga is highly beneficial for seniors as it combines breathing techniques, exercise, and meditation. Attending yoga classes helps retirees improve balance, strengthen muscles, and maintain cardiovascular health.
Yoga also enhances circulation, improves respiration, and promotes both physical and mental relaxation. With its ancient roots, yoga enables seniors to lead a healthy and active lifestyle while enhancing emotional well-being.
Benefits:
- Enhances balance and stability.
- Maintain healthy weight
- Strengthens muscles and boosts cardiovascular health.
- Enhances circulation and respiration.
- Helps retirees reduce physical and mental stress.
- Combines exercise and meditation benefits.
- Supports a healthy lifestyle.
6. Playing Golf
Golf is often seen as a leisurely sport but offers retirees much more. As an outdoor activity, it allows seniors to get essential vitamin D from the sun, which is important for overall health. Playing golf engages various muscles and joints, making it a great exercise for seniors.
This is especially important considering that over 80% of them are affected by heart disease. Golf helps retirees stay active in retirement and provides a full-body workout. It also serves as a social hub, allowing seniors to make new friends and stay socially active. Besides the physical health benefits, golf improves flexibility, helping seniors maintain an active lifestyle.
Benefits:
- Engages multiple muscles, joints, and tendons, giving you a full-body workout.
- Allows you to soak up vitamin D from the sun.
- Lowers the risk of heart disease, which is common among seniors.
- Improves flexibility and overall physical health.
- Provides chances to socialise and make new friends.
- Keeps seniors active during retirement.
7. Try Lawn Bowling
Lawn bowling is a great way for retirees to stay physically active while learning new skills in a relaxed environment. It’s not just about competition but also about enjoying the outdoors, gentle exercise, and improving coordination and strategic thinking.
It’s perfect for those in their golden years, offering a way to stay healthy without high-impact activities. The camaraderie and friendly competition in the game also provide mental benefits, promoting overall wellness in retirement.
Here are some benefits:
- Promotes low-impact physical activity.
- Develop new skills like strategy and coordination.
- Enhances overall health and well-being through outdoor exercise.
8. Stay Socially Connected
Maintaining social connections in retirement is important for emotional well-being and physical health. Being socially active encourages participation in various activities, keeping the mind and body engaged. Retirees should spend time with friends, join community groups, or participate in social activities to significantly enhance their quality of life.
Building and nurturing relationships contribute to a sense of belonging, which is vital in this phase of life. It’s not just about staying busy; it’s about cultivating meaningful connections that enrich the retirement experience.
Here are some benefits:
- Encourages an active lifestyle through various social engagements.
- Fosters a sense of community and belonging.
- Enhances mental health and emotional well-being.
- Offers chances to engage in diverse activities, fostering ongoing learning and personal growth.
- Encourages the sharing of experiences and support among peers.
- Connect with your local community
The Advantages of a Lifestyle Village for Staying Active
Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Still, it’s also essential to stay physically and mentally active. Lifestyle villages, such as The Links Over 55s Lifestyle Resort, offer a unique solution for seniors looking to maintain an active lifestyle in their golden years. These communities offer benefits tailored to retirees, including physical activities, social engagements, and overall wellness.
Built-in Amenities
Lifestyle retirement villages have fitness centres, swimming pools, and other facilities tailored for seniors.
Highlights:
- Ease of Access: No need for long commutes; facilities are within the village.
- Diverse Options: From fitness equipment to bowling greens, there's something for everyone.
- Safety First: Equipment and amenities designed keeping seniors in mind.
- Consistency: Convenient facilities mean regular physical activity becomes a daily routine.
Organised Activities
Highlights:
- Variety: Activities range from water aerobics to croquet competitions.
- Routine: Structured classes, like yoga, offer routine and consistency.
- Engagement: Catering to a wide range of interests and fitness levels.
- Skill Development: Classes help improve flexibility, core strength, and more.
Like-minded Neighbours
Being surrounded by peers prioritising staying active offers a natural motivation and support system.
Highlights:
- Motivation: Engaging in activities becomes more fun with friends.
- Shared Goals: A collective commitment to health and fitness.
- Community Spirit: Encouragement and friendly competition from neighbours.
- Shared Interests: Makes participation in group activities more appealing.
Safe and Accessible Environment
Safety and accessibility are paramount in these villages, ensuring seniors can be active without worries.
Highlights:
- Safety Features: Pathways, exercise areas, and amenities are designed for seniors.
- Peace of Mind: With medical assistance often at hand, there's less to worry about.
- Empowerment: Confidence in physical activities, knowing the environment is secure.
Stay Active at The Links in South West Rocks
Staying active during retirement is essential for physical and mental well-being. Being active helps us stay healthy, make friends, and enjoy our days. Where we live can play a role in our level of physical activity.
The Links in South West Rocks understands this and offers a variety of activities such as swimming in heated pools, bowling, golf, and exercise facilities. Located in South West Rocks, The Links provides easy access to nature and opportunities to stay active with friends.
It’s not just a place to live but a vibrant community encouraging daily fun. If you want to make the most of your retirement, consider The Links and discover a place designed for active living.
Frequently Asked Questions
While they offer several perks, retirement villages come with challenges. This includes notable entrance and departure costs, potentially intricate fee arrangements, and constraints on owning property. Moreover, certain individuals might not appreciate the village regulations, feeling a lack of variety or sensing an exclusive social scene.
The value of joining a retirement village largely hinges on one’s personal context and inclinations. They present numerous advantages like a sense of community, safety, and handy facilities. Nonetheless, they might come with substantial expenses, including entrance and exit charges, regular service fees, and other unexpected costs. Thoroughly weighing these expenses against one’s financial health and living preferences is pivotal before deciding.
The primary distinction is the type of agreement over the property. In retirement villages, the arrangement usually concerns the building itself, so you’re paying a fee to reside there without owning your space. On the other hand, in over 55 lifestyle villages, the contract is about the land, granting you ownership of your house while you lease the underlying land for an extended duration. This setup often offers more financial predictability and adaptability.
This decision is contingent upon individual preferences and needs. Living in a retirement village provides community, security, and easy access to amenities and services. Staying at home offers familiarity, potentially lower costs, and perhaps more independence. Assess your desires, financial situation, and long-term objectives to make an informed choice.
The Links primarily operates under the land lease retirement village model, allowing residents to own their homes while leasing the land for a long duration. This transparent structure eradicates any exit fees, meaning residents can enjoy any profits from a sale without deductions.
The Links stands out because it emphasises community, lifestyle, and superior facilities. Residents can indulge in diverse recreational activities, from its year-round heated pool to a professional-sized bowling green and fully-equipped gym. Moreover, the vibrant community ambience and state-of-the-art amenities like the 450m practice putting and chipping greens make The Links the epitome of lavish retirement living.
A Deferred Management Fee (DMF) is a charge incurred by residents upon exiting a retirement village, often deducted from the sale price of their unit or their initial contribution to the village. This fee, which might also be termed an exit or departure fee, is generally a percentage of the initial contribution or the sale price and can vary based on factors like the length of residency and accessed services. The DMF’s structure and percentage are stipulated in the contract, and it aims to cover the village’s management and operational costs, ensuring the community’s maintenance and sustainability throughout the residents’ stay.