Retirement and Leisure: A Time to Enjoy
To those who have had committed their years to working hard, providing for their families, and caring for their loved ones, the idea of leisure activities in retirement might seem frivolous. However, life coach and best-selling author Ernie Zelinski, along with many other researchers, would suggest that well spent free time in retirement can lead to a limitless number of benefits. In this post, we will explore the advantages of the extra time available in retirement to relax and pursue old and new passions.
Preparing for Retirement Free Time
In his book How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free, Ernie Zelinski addresses myths about leisure by focusing on the opportunity retirement gives people to “reinvent themselves” and “find peace and happiness within.” Zelinski explains that retirees with strong work ethics sometimes feel confused by what he calls the “enjoyment ethic” of retirement. In preparing for retirement, he suggests re-centering your goals, routine and “sense of community” around the things you like to do and the people you enjoy spending time with the most.
In other words, it’s just fine—in fact it’s great—to treat yourself to a massage appointment or a trip on the Village shopping shuttle, or to join a club like our own Great Donut Society just for fun! Remember to challenge yourself a little too, by trying different leisure activities like synchronized swimming or making new friends at a men’s bridge game. In this way, you can achieve the same feeling of accomplishment and excitement you have always had through things like your career or raising children.
Health Benefits of Leisure Activities
While some benefits of leisure activities are subjective, others are scientific facts. There are plenty of proven health benefits to retirement and leisure in terms of physical and mental well-being. Away from the 40 (or more) hour work week, retirees finally have ample time to de-stress, get enough sleep, develop healthier eating habits, recover whenever a cold comes over them, and relax with a good book when they feel the need to unwind.
Retirees also have the time to exercise regularly, and residents of The Village at Germantown have the additional advantage of engaging fitness classes geared towards their activity levels and health goals. Options for light aerobics or core fitness maintain good strength, while Wii bowling games and ballroom dance classes get residents on their feet in a fun way. Water therapy and dance therapy sessions are also available for those with limited mobility or recent injuries.
Affordable Retirement Fun
Many retirees are surprised to learn how affordable so-called leisure activities can be. Many activities and classes at The Village at Germantown are available at no extra cost, so residents are free to explore their options without being tied down by gym or club memberships. In addition, beautiful grounds and trails at The Village make for delightful walks with friends and family. Residents can also enjoy books from the library, and any retiree can download free podcasts and eBooks online.
Additionally, the Village regularly hosts musical guests such as school groups and local bands, and there is always an upcoming social event. Whether it’s a Hollywood Cocktail Party for Active Aging week or a parade for Veterans Day or Mardi Gras, we love to have a good time around here!
Our residents are always coming up with ways to not only have fun for less cost, but also use their talents and passions to serve others. For instance, the Sunshine Team spreads smiles to their Village neighbors in our own Health Care center, and our skilled wood craftsmen have crafted dozens of wooden crosses for Methodist Healthcare Hospitals. These kinds of retirement activities are priceless to those who are touched by a retiree’s kindness and to the volunteers themselves.
Enjoying Retirement at the Village
We hope we have expressed how rejuvenating and meaningful your free time in retirement can be with the wonderful opportunities available at an active retirement community like The Village at Germantown. For another glimpse into life at the Village, you can download our October newsletter here on our website. If you’re beginning to picture yourself enjoying a Village lifestyle, we would love for you to come in for a tour, so feel free to schedule one today!