Free of the demands of your day job, retirement is a time to savour the freedom of a slower pace of life, and maybe relax on a hammock somewhere sunny. However, it's also worthwhile to indulge in activities that bring you joy, fulfilment and a sense of purpose.
As retirees say farewell to the routine of work life, deciding what to do next can be a tough decision. Unsure about how to fill up your spare time in retirement? Check out our run-down of the most popular hobbies for retirees:
Gardening
Looking for a laidback activity that also leaves you feeling fulfilled after a job well done? Tending to a garden is a therapeutic and rewarding experience that allows you to connect with nature and enjoy the responsibility of looking after a living, breathing thing.
Whether it's nurturing vibrant flowers, growing delicious vegetables, or simply enjoying the satisfaction of having your own green paradise, gardening can give you a sense of accomplishment and the chance to create something beautiful.
Get creative
Unless you worked in the creative industry, a regular office job probably isn’t the best opportunity to tap into your artistic side. But as you retire, you’ll find that there are so many different outlets to express yourself creatively.
From painting and pottery to writing and photography, getting involved in more creative pursuits is a great way to express yourself, and can also be hugely relaxing. Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent that you never knew about!
Cooking
When you’ve just come back home from a long day of work, it's hard to muster up the energy to cook anything that takes love and care. But now you’ve retired, you can truly devote time to perfecting that signature dish.
With the help of the internet and a good old cooking book on your side, there’s no limit to the food you can make, from complex dishes that take hours to cook, to delicious baked goods. If you pick up a talent for baking sweet treats, you’ll be even more popular with your grandchildren!
Exploring the World
Always had the urge to travel the world, but never had the time to do it? When you retire, you’ll have more freedom than ever to travel and see more of the world. From weekend getaways to epic journeys across continents, retirees can head off on adventures without worrying about getting them signed off at work. You’ll get to immerse yourself in new cultures, broaden your horizons, and create unforgettable memories.
Volunteering
If you really want to make a positive impact in your retirement years, volunteering is a great way to do it. As well as giving you a strong sense of fulfillment and purpose, volunteering is a way to give back to your local community, while supporting a meaningful cause.
There’s loads of places where your experience would be welcome, whether you want to lend a hand at local charities, mentor younger generations, or support environmental causes. Whatever you do, volunteering is a great way to make use of your expertise, experience and spare time!
Fitness and Wellness
When you work a regular day job, there will always be an excuse for you not to devote time to your fitness. However, you won’t be able to use the same excuses in retirement, where you’ll suddenly have loads of time on your side. While the idea of exercise can be daunting for some, it comes with huge health benefits - boosting both the strength of your body, and your day-to-day mood.
You could start with something less challenging like a light jog, or even engage in activities like yoga or team sport to make fitness more fun. Joining fitness classes or wellness groups helps you maintain an active lifestyle, while making it easier to socialise and form lasting friendships.
At Churchill Retirement Living, we give you the keys to an independent retirement lifestyle, taking care of your safety and security so you don’t have to. We’ll make settling into your new home as hassle-free as possible, giving you the peace of mind to focus on doing the things you love. With developments located across the UK, find your dream retirement apartment today.