Today we’re living longer and staying active. So, don’t we also deserve to make the most of those years and enjoy life? Yes! And while exceeding our grandparents’ life expectancies is a good thing, it’s not enough to just coast along. You’re likely to have more time on your hands, and if you have children, they’re older and busy raising your grandchildren. That’s why this is the perfect time to do something you love. Better yet, discover more things to love and achieve an active retirement lifestyle!
Here are just some of the activities seniors enjoy every day. We hope you’ll use them as a springboard for putting more enjoyment into your years and creating the vibrant retirement lifestyle you’ve always wanted.
Ways to Achieve an Active Retirement Lifestyle
See the World
Your retirement years are ideal for traveling, whether you prefer to go by land, sea, or air. When you select a senior living community like Jacaranda Trace as your home base, you can enjoy worry-free travel, knowing that your residence will be secure and well-maintained when you return.
Preplanned group tours are an easy option and a way to make new friends. Or, choose your own adventure on a timetable that works for you. Make your trips more fun by choosing a theme or a goal. Perhaps you’d like to visit all fifty states or attend a game at all the Major League Baseball stadiums. Maybe art museums, botanical gardens, or historical sites are more your style. Or set your sights on taking a safari, touring the Louvre, or visiting the countries where your ancestors lived.
Jacaranda Trace has an active travel club that plans cruises and other exciting trips. Best of all, they do all the work for you, so all you need to do is bring your sense of adventure and enjoy!
Use Your Brain
Using your brain doesn’t have to be all book learning. Keep your mind healthy and active by pursuing a topic that has always interested you. Read the great classics, learn about astronomy, or study Native American culture. You can watch a video or join a class to learn how to speak a world language, build a bookshelf, or make your own pasta. Join a club to focus on photography, making pottery, or fly fishing.
Living in a maintenance-free, concierge-style community frees your time from home maintenance and other chores, so you’ll have time for yourself. At Jacaranda Trace, there’s a robust calendar of on-campus activities, including educational programming and clubs where you can learn from others who share your interests:
- Travel, book, and card clubs
- Educational, creative, and exercise classes
- Quality entertainment is hosted in our modern and spacious auditorium
- Outings regularly planned for local entertainment, sports, and events
In addition, community colleges, libraries, and senior centers also offer a variety of free lectures and inexpensive classes.
Rise to the Challenge
Who doesn’t love a challenge—or a good competition? As you get older, continue to challenge yourself to be better, stronger, and smarter. Challenge yourself to beat your best time when walking a mile or completing a tough Sudoku or crossword puzzle. You might want to let “man’s best friend” join the fun by learning to compete in dog agility together.
Friendly competition with friends will keep you on your toes! Match wits with neighbors during a spirited evening of Scrabble, Bridge, or Trivia at a local hangout. Many senior living communities like Jacaranda Trace host regular card-playing groups and game nights on campus, making it easy and convenient to find friendly participants at their level. Competition can also add fun and motivation to your fitness routine, whether playing golf, enjoying pool volleyball, or entering the Senior Olympics.
Support a Cause
Even if you’re not usually a “joiner,” becoming part of an organization can invigorate your life. Consider getting involved in a cause you’re passionate about, whether local, national, or international. Your enthusiastic participation might even lead to opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have, such as planning events, attending conferences, or appearing on TV.
You might want to use your energy for a church or charity, for a political campaign, or to support an environmental initiative. Whether you serve meals at a homeless shelter, advocate for a child in foster care, or help clean up a local park, you’ll meet interesting people, get exercise, and make a difference.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Shake things up by trying something completely new and different—outside your comfort zone. An easy first attempt might be listening to some new music—consider a style or artist recommended by a grandchild or from a culture that’s very different from yours. Or choose a restaurant offering a type of cuisine you’ve never eaten, whether it’s vegan, Middle Eastern, or Caribbean. Some senior living communities like Jacaranda Trace make it easy to learn about new cultures with themed programming, including food and activities.
As you progress, explore things that aren’t considered typical—a former accountant could try out for a theater production. An ordinarily shy bookworm could sing with friends on Karaoke night. Try your hand at knitting or macramé or tinker with the car’s engine. You could discover some new favorites or not. But whatever you try, plan to enjoy the experience!
With a bit of imagination, you are sure to come up with some original ideas for spicing up your retirement lifestyle. Some may not work out, but that’s okay. Just keep going! Keep an open mind and a positive attitude as you try out your ideas. Add a smile to your face, and you could have a fantastic time—and make new friends, too.
Want some help getting started?
Contact Jacaranda Trace in beautiful Venice, Florida, and let us show you all the services and amenities our residents have at their fingertips to create an active retirement lifestyle and get the most out of every day. You can give us a call at (941) 408-2050.