Retirement may mark the end of your professional career, but it doesn’t mean your pursuit of knowledge has to end, too. It’s a myth that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, with an extra 40 hours each week, you’ll have even more time and energy to spend learning new skills.
Lifelong learning is the concept of being self-motivated to acquire knowledge or skills for your own personal development, no matter your age. The benefits of lifelong learning are numerous. It gives you a cognitive boost, reduces your risk of dementia, helps you meet new people and improves your mood.
Not sure what to do in retirement, or want to learn new life skills for seniors in retirement? Here are some fulfilling ways you can spend your newfound free time to promote lifelong learning:
Take Up a Musical Instrument
Have you always wanted to play the piano? Now is your chance. Playing an instrument lowers your blood pressure, making you feel relaxed. It also relieves stress and stimulates your memory. The guitar is a versatile instrument which requires knowing only a few chords in order to play a variety of songs. Piano is another good option due to its versatility and popularity, meaning there will be no shortage of teachers in your community.
Brush Up on Your Computer Skills
Being tech savvy can benefit you in many areas of life. Maybe you want to pick up a specific skill, like coding or photo editing. You may also just want to get more comfortable browsing the internet or using your email. The good news is that there are lots of resources that teach basic computer skills for seniors. Try browsing YouTube for tutorials, taking online computer literacy courses for seniors, or checking a local library, senior center or college for in-person classes.
Learn a New Style of Cooking
Even if you’ve been cooking your entire life, you may not have ever made homemade tortillas or chicken tikka masala. Challenge yourself by picking an unfamiliar cuisine or recipe and cooking something new. If you’ve never been much of a chef, start small. Try learning to poach an egg, make a vinaigrette or caramelize onions. Once you master the basics, you might just discover you’re capable of making an entire dish. Cooking is an important life skill for seniors to remain independent, so don’t hesitate to embrace your inner chef.
Become an Artist
Let your creativity flourish by taking a local art class. A pottery, painting or photography class will allow you to connect with your artistic side and meet like-minded people. If more traditional art pursuits don’t appeal to you, think outside the box. Maybe you’d be interested in jewelry making, sewing or creative writing. You don’t necessarily need to sign up for a class to jump into a new creative endeavor, either. Online guides and video tutorials can offer tips to help you get started as you learn new activities in retirement.
Audit a College Class
Did you know you don’t have to be a college student to take courses? Many universities allow seniors to audit classes, which means you can attend classes for free or at a reduced price without receiving college credit. Contact colleges near you to inquire about senior learning opportunities.
Move Your Body
Staying active is crucial for older adults looking to strengthen their muscles, improve mobility and maintain heart health. Try yoga, swimming or tai chi, which are easy on your joints but still give you good exercise.
Fitness hobbies can also be a way to stay social in retirement. Working out with a friend is not only more fun, but it helps hold you accountable. Tennis, dancing and walking are perfect activities to do with a partner or as part of a group.
Plant a Garden
Gardening is incredible for your health. It allows you to soak up some vitamin D, gets your blood pumping and leaves you with beautiful flowers, plants, vegetables or herbs to enjoy or consume. If you don’t have a yard, consider getting involved in a community garden or getting potted plants and window boxes.
Learn a New Language
Although learning a language likely isn’t the first thing people consider when wondering what to do in retirement, it can have impactful benefits. When you learn a foreign language, you’re able to connect with people across the world in a new way, learn about another culture and keep your mind sharp. It may even lead you to travel to another country. Websites like Duolingo and Babbel can help you learn the basics, but you’ll need as much exposure as possible to really get fluent. Watch films in your language of choice, listen to podcasts and seek out others to practice with. Most importantly, don’t worry too much about messing up or embarrassing yourself. It’s part of the learning process!
Get Your Finances in Order
While you should be spending your golden years having fun and trying new things, practical skills like managing your long-term care and living expenses should not be neglected either. You can start by looking into life insurance for seniors. Americo Senior Life offers a wide range of affordable, flexible life insurance coverage options that in most cases don’t require a medical exam or lengthy application process. Contact us today and a representative will be happy to answer your questions.