The average adult indulges in approximately 36 to 40 hours of free time in a given week. Post-retirement, these numbers tend to increase significantly. From eating, sleeping, sports, and recreation, there are countless ways to relax and enjoy your spare time. It is proven that using leisure time idly can be extremely detrimental to physical and mental health. Research also suggests that happiness is an essential component to living a successful life. Spending your free time to engage in the things you enjoy the most is a direct link to ensuring the quality of life. Here are a few simple activities to break up the monotony and increase engagement and activity.
Volunteering
Our passions are what drive our thoughts, actions, and ideas. There are several local organizations that offer opportunities to give your time to causes that you care about most. Volunteering provides an opportunity to connect with your community and contribute to its sustainability. Community service also helps make new connections, increases social skills, and can even teach you valuable skill sets.
Photography
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” and photographs can also create thousands of opportunities to actively capture memorable life events. This hobby is easy to get started in and is extremely rewarding. There are multiple photographic styles to choose from like portrait, fashion, sports, and architecture. Once you find your niche, photography can be a tremendously enriching endeavor.
Gardening
Tending to nature is not only good for the environment but great for the body and mind. Gardening can be an indoor or outdoor activity. Subsequently, it can also benefit the immune system, relieve stress, reduce the risk of dementia, and is a great way to exercise! There are multiple reasons to dig in and discover your green thumb.
Music
Healthline reports music can boost memory, build task endurance, lighten your mood, reduce anxiety and depression, stave off fatigue, improve your response to pain, and help you work out more effectively. Further, it can also be used as a form of effective therapy for cardiac conditions, depression, autism, and more. No matter your skill level, singing, playing instruments, or participating in any musical activity has a powerful influence on overall well-being.
Whether you are artistic, athletic, or analytical there are multiple avenues to explore on the road to a more active and engaged daily routine. Here at Village Park Senior Living, we offer several activities that cater to various interests. To find out more about the exciting events and happenings in our communities, feel free to contact our Activities Department at 470-509-4557.