You may have been looking forward to retirement for a long time. The freedom of not setting that early morning alarm, no more deadlines, no more commute and just more freedom to do what you want, when you want. Sometimes when we enter retirement, we underestimate just how much time we have, and it can be hard to find things to fill the time with stuff we enjoy. Creating healthy habits in retirement is key to staying happy and healthy in later life. Here at Inspired Villages, we are here to help you live the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.

Create a routine you love

Something you may have been looking forward to is not being controlled by time and just living life by going with the flow and do what you want when you feel like it and for some of us, this may work perfectly. However, for many of us, the lack of routine and structure to our days can leave us feeling down and unproductive. 

The thought of creating a routine may give you daunting flashbacks to the shock awakening to that dreaded early alarm and the rush to get ready for work on time, but it’s time to put those thoughts to the side. The best part of creating a routine in retirement is that you get to choose every part of it and do it at your own pace without any rush. You may love waking up whenever you want or you may prefer to set an alarm, but whatever way you choose to wake up create a daily routine that follows it. You may wake up and enjoy your morning coffee or breakfast in your garden, or you may enjoy starting your day with a warm shower followed by a walk around your local area, followed by breakfast from your favourite café and then in the evening you may enjoy cooking a home-cooked meal, followed by watching your favourite tv shows or enjoying some time doing your favourite hobby. Whatever you want your routine to look like, having some structure can help with your emotional wellbeing.

As well as creating a daily routine, creating an exercise routine can help improve you physical and mental wellbeing. If you're not sure where to start, then read our blog on how to create an exercise routine in retirement.

Find some hobbies

In adulthood, it can be hard to find the time to do the things you enjoy, but with more time on your hands in retirement, you can invest your time in your hobbies. If you’re thinking to yourself ‘I don’t have any hobbies’ then now is the perfect time to find some. If you don’t have any hobbies or if you’re looking for some new ones, then write down everything you think you might enjoy it and give it a go. We recommend finding a hobby that keeps you fit, this might be walking or a weekly exercise class, a hobby that expands your knowledge, like reading or completing online courses, a hobby that strengthens your mind, this may be chess or doing crosswords and a hobby that keeps you social, you might find that all your hobbies keep you social but joining a group such as a book club or a walking group is a great way to make friends with people you have things in common with.

Read our article on the best hobbies for retirees.

Create a list of things you’ve always wanted to do

Have you always dreamed of going to see the Great Wall of China, or going on a cruise or maybe taking a road trip in the UK in a campervan? Whatever you’ve always wanted to do write a list and start making plans for it. It can be easy to get swept up with the flow of life and to never do the things you’ve always wanted to. Writing down what you want to do and putting a plan in place can make things become a reality. Taking regular day trips, weekend breaks and holidays can keep life in retirement exciting, they don’t have to be expensive you could even go a stay with friends that may be dotted around the UK or even the world. 

Maybe you’ve wanted to climb the three peaks, take up surfing lessons or maybe you’ve always wanted to run 5km – whatever you’ve always wanted to do, now is the perfect time to give it a go. Why not create yourself a retirement bucket list and make it your challenge to tick off everything on your bucket list.
 

How we can help!

One of the many benefits of living in an Inspired retirement village is that we have a range of on-site facilities like restaurants and gyms as well as a range of different activities that you can get involved in. Not only are these are a great way to make your time in retirement enjoyable, but they also give you the chance to meet new people and make new friends.

If you’d like to find out more about us and the benefits and attractions of renting or buying a home in an Inspired retirement village, get in touch today.