As you reach a certain age, you might find yourself having more spare time, especially as you come to the end of your working life. One of the biggest challenges you can face as you hit retirement age is finding things to fill your day.
It may seem like there’s nothing to do at first, but in reality there are so many hobbies that will get you out and about and keep you physically, mentally and socially active.
Here are a few hobbies to consider for staying busy and active during retirement.
With 1,200+ locations across the country, Men’s Sheds are found in many cities and towns around Australia. Joining a Men’s Shed offers men a bustling, safe environment where they can find many of these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship. Members come from all walks of life, but what brings them together is that they are men with time on their hands and would like something meaningful to do with that time. Whether you want to come down for a yarn and a cuppa or work on community projects, this is a great initiative to keep the body and mind active.
If you’re a Top Gear fanatic and love the look of vintage cars, why not join a car club and make friends with people who share the same passion?
If you really want to indulge yourself, and have the cash, consider taking on the challenge of restoring an old car and turning it into something beautiful again. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what makes a vehicle tick and improve your problem solving skills at the same time.
Because the process of restoring an old car can take months and even years to complete, there’s plenty of opportunity to invite others to share in the fun along the way. Get your kids or grandkids involved every now and again, or invite some mates over to ticker around with you. That way when the work’s complete everyone will be able to share in the pride of a job well done with you.
It’s never to late to pick up a musical instrument. Learning how to play an instrument is a great hobby as it provides your brain with a fresh challenge. For newbies who are interested, there are lots of ways to get started. Individual or group classes can be found through music schools and stores, community centres and private instructors. If you’re not sure which instrument you’d like to learn, try out a few to see what fits best with your taste and your burgeoning skills.
Woodworking can be a great social activity, it’s relaxing and keeps your mind, eyes and hands active and focussed. Woodworking can include carpentry, carving, sculpting, making furniture and much more! And if you have time why not share you skills with your grandkids? Children get excited about learning new skills or hobbies taught to them by their grandparents, plus it’s great for bonding. If this sounds like you, why not join a woodworking club or a men’s shed and make some new friends with like-minded people?
Martial arts are a great way to focus your mind and channel your energy into something that’s both physically and mentally challenging. Not only are martial arts fun, but they have the added benefit of keeping you fit and strengthening your joints and muscles at the same time. In addition to improving your fitness, martial arts are fantastic for self-defence should you find yourself in a life-threatening situation. There are a range of disciplines out there, be it Karate, Muay Thai, Tai Chi, so Kung Fu, so try a few different classes to find one you love.
No, not that kind of modelling! Building models of planes, trains and automobiles has been a fun hobby enjoyed by many for years. Back in ‘Ye Olden Days’ before we were all distracted by our iPads and Netflix, modelling was a fun hobby beloved by boys and their fathers in particular. If it’s been a few years since you look into the hobby, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know there’s a wide variety of models out there now, with everything from the classic trains and cars to towering skyscrapers and city replicas just waiting to keep you entertained for hours.
Horology, or watchmaking, is one of the most interesting and technical old-world skills still being practiced today. It’s an incredibly intricate process that takes hours of careful concentration and dedication, but the end result can be breathtaking. Aside from the sheer impressiveness of the skill, horology is a fantastic hobby as it keeps your mind, eyes and hands active and focussed. Sadly watchmaking isn’t as popular as it once was, with less than 25,00 watchmakers left in the world today, so it’s definitely a handy skill to have up your sleeve or pass onto your grandkids. There are heaps of kits, online courses and tutorials to help you get started.
Do you love to boogie? Dancing can be a great hobby for you and your partner to enjoy together, or if you’re single it’s also a fantastic way to meet new people. Not only is dancing a fun way to socialise, it also has a variety of health benefits for your muscles, balance, cardiovascular system, brain function and stress levels. In fact, researchers believe dancing makes daily life easier for older people by improving their sense of balance and thinking skills. And it doesn’t matter if you can’t dance. Join a dancing club or take dance classes to learn new dances and show off your moves at the next family wedding or party.
There’s nothing quite like kicking up your feet and cracking open a cold beer after a long day. If you already drink beer, why not make your own? While some might believe beer brewing is only for the professionals, learning the process is much easier than you think. There are heaps of DIY beer brewing kits and classes out there to help you get started. Not only is it fun, learning to brew beer allows you to customise a flavour to your liking.
Perhaps you’re a poet and you don’t know it. If you’ve always enjoyed dreaming up stories in your head or just want an outlet to sort out your thoughts, writing could be the perfect retirement hobby for you. There are all sorts of ways to express yourself through writing, but journaling and blogging can be a great way to start. If you’d rather keep your inner musings private, pick up a journal and dedicate yourself to penning your thoughts and observations every day. Many find the process incredibly cathartic and find it quickly becomes an important part of their daily routine. If you want to share your voice with the world, consider blogging instead. Starts at 60 runs an incredibly active blogging group filled with over-60s who write about everything from their opinion on politics and current affairs, to their memories of growing up in the 1960s, their ideas for the future and much more.