How To Enjoy Your Retirement During Lockdown
By Richard Tweedie, from Bupa Care Services
Richard Tweedie
Whether you’ve recently retired, or have been retired for a while now, you’ll know that filling your time with engaging and entertaining things to do is just as important as making the most of your well-earned rest.
Increased lockdown restrictions may have forced some of your plans on to the backburner, but the good news is that there are still plenty of other enjoyable things you can do and discover about yourself as you spend more time at home.
Here, Richard Tweedie, Bupa Care Services Activities Coordinator, shares some ideas for inspiration.
Time to explore
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Though far-flung travel plans may have been scuppered for the moment, having an outdoor hobby is a great way to bring some enjoyment and structure to your day. Another plus is that these kind of hobbies can be done solo or with others – as long as you keep yourself safe and follow your local social distancing measures.
Take inspiration from the outdoor hobbies you had when you were a child: are you in a position to get back into fishing, camping, fossil hunting or photography? If so, give it a go!
Nobody ever said retirement meant taking it easy, so why not take up a sport? Whether that’s running, hiking, swimming or kayaking, whatever takes your fancy. You can often find introductory sessions with local instructors, to see if it’s for you. Likewise, lots of team sports like football have clubs for older members.
Pic: Shutterstock
For those wanting to mix things up a bit, why not try to get into something new? There’s always birdwatching, trainspotting, metal detecting and flower pressing that you can get involved with whenever the urge takes you.
Get moving
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Research shows that health and wellbeing is one of the central factors older people need to live well. Getting outside provides numerous affordable opportunities to have some fun, learn something new and break a sweat – all while helping to keep you active and fit.
Not all exercises will be suitable for everyone but where you can, give new things a try, e.g. Pilates, table tennis, archery, Nordic walking, walking football or juggling.
Make time to learn something new
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Living in the UK, you can’t always rely on the weather to guarantee a fun day outside! So, it’s always nice to find something to dip in and out of from the comfort of your own home.
- Look into an art subscription box, for example Artful, where every few months you’re given the equipment and advice needed to pick up a new artistic skill like lino printing.
- Get crafty: look into upcycling your furniture, card or candle-making, or even make your own beer!
- Release your inner writer – whether it’s writing a note to a pen pal, or trying some creative prose.
Challenge yourself
The internet has brought us a world of online puzzles that are varied, interactive and difficult to tire of. For a more hands-on challenge, now’s the opportunity to finally dust off your neglected musical instrument and learn to play – there are plenty of online courses available, some of which are even free – try YouTube.
Find new ways to be social
Pic: Shutterstock
Computer games can allow you to explore new places and meet new people without having to leave the house. As well as helping to combat loneliness, virtual reality games like Second Life allow you to take on a persona and interact with others in a new world.
Moira Chisholm
I'm the Health Editor on My Weekly and am always interested to hear what's new in this fascinating field. I also deal with the gardening, shopping pages, general features, our website content and the Ask Helen problem page. I have a special interest in Christmas content because I'm on the team for Your Best Ever Christmas Magazine, too!
