Being Bored in Retirement? It Happens - What to Do If It Happens to You

Have you imagined how you spend your time once you are retired? Maybe you are imagining that you are relaxing, overlooking an ocean, sitting under a palm tree without any worries? Perhaps you are shopping in all the great cities of the world and enjoying lunch at a lovely cafe? If you ask someone who is retired, the reality of retirement is often different than what you thought it might be when you were dreaming. 

Some people get bored once they retire. If you are bored during your retirement, you're probably doing something wrong. However, some people say they have become bored and even depressed once they experience retirement life. Some people go as far as saying their life is less meaningful.

The Retirement Blues

A recent study of retirees in the United Kingdom suggests there are many bored retirees - or as they call them - pensioners - start getting bored after their first year of retirement. The newly retired folks use terms like "boring," "lonely," and "quiet." when describing their retirement. Nearly 3 in 10 respondents (27%) reported that they have more time to themselves than they anticipated when they retired.

One of the biggest complaints that people tend to hear from those who are retired is how bored they are all the time. While this claim has a level of legitimacy, retirees who have nothing to do will feel this way simply often because they aren't trying anything new. You can try many things when you are retired to avoid being bored. Being open to new and exciting things will help you alleviate boredom. 

If you or someone you know is feeling the retirement blues and needs to spice things up, there are ways to do just that.

Find a New Hobby

Once you are retired, your regular routine changes. You own your time which allows you the time to consider things you didn't take the time to do when you were working. There may be things you dabbled with in the past but never really had enough time to explore more.

There are the classic options many people talk about - things like reading, cooking, or anything that involves working with your hands. Yes, you can spend more time reading and maybe join a book club to discuss the book with others. Book clubs add a level of social interaction which some people enjoy.

Have you ever taken a cooking class? There are numerous cooking classes available in nearly every world cuisine, both in person and through the internet. 

While those are all great options, you might already be doing those, so you'll need to think outside the box. A great example is video games.

The National Institute on Aging says that being exposed to an environment filled with novel stimuli can benefit cognition, including memory. Video games do just that! 

An NIH study showed that a group of adults aged 60 and older who played two weeks of Angry Birds™, or Super Mario™ resulted in improved recognition memory. 

More older people have been playing video games, not just for the improved memory benefits but for fun and excitement. You can play many video games with multiple players in your home or worldwide as they are connected to the internet. 

Some of these games can be played with your family - some older adults are playing online video games with their grandchildren as a way to spend time with them. To their grandkid's dismay, the grandparents have found they can be very competitive as well.

Not all the games are sports-related; you may find one that you enjoy.

There are single-player experiences that are calm, relaxing, and easy for anybody to pick up and learn.

Let’s Get Physical

There are physical activities like gardening, woodworking, tennis, bowling leagues, golf, badminton, and pickleball, to name a few. Again, classes are available to help you learn more about your activity. 

Of course, as you get older, some physical activities will become more of a challenge for you, but that doesn't mean you should give up on them. If anything, that means you should try even harder to do them. The best way to get physical again is to go to the gym regularly. Good workouts will help your body get used to moving again and build back some muscle and endurance that you might have lost over the years.

Get In Touch with Nature

Getting outside is always a great idea. If you love the outdoors, consider doing some more nature-based activities. Boating, fishing, and camping are all great choices that can be very appealing, depending on your preferences. 

If you want to go all-in and live a life where those activities are right outside your front door, then you should consider getting yourself an RV. An RV can be a comfortable and convenient to travel and see the country. Your recreational vehicle can become your home-on-wheels, seeing the country with your spouse and your pet.

Start Working Again

Going back to work, really? Yes, really. Going back to work might sound crazy, but money is hopefully less of an issue now that you're officially retired. That means you can focus on doing something you genuinely enjoy, like a fun part-time job or volunteering. 

Many people who go back to work after they retire do so to meet new people and to be able to get out of the house and feel useful. We all have a need to be social and feel valued. Many people miss that when they retire from their primary career. 

There are many available opportunities, and help wanted ads are up everywhere. Many non-profits groups and charities need help as well. Look at what things interest you and find something to do that the paycheck is not the priority.

You might want to be your own boss. If you have a good business idea that you can run with, starting your own company is a possibility, and there are plenty of reasons to go through with it. You'll be amazed at how much more enjoyable a job can be without the stress of finances burdening you.

Stay Active and Keep Mind Engaged

No matter what you do before or after you retire, remaining active and keeping your mind engaged is critical once you reach age 50. In fact, it is crucial at all ages but becomes even more so as you grow older. 

Here are several ideas to help you as you transition to life after 50 and into retirement - 

• Get regular check-ups and keep your blood pressure under control.
• Be sure to eat as healthy as you can.
• Remain social and don't become isolated. COVID-19 has made this harder to do - but there are ways to maintain social interaction.
• Keep your mind active by reading, doing puzzles and playing games, and engaging in conversations with others.
• Being active at Church, social clubs, and other community groups maintains a meaning for your life.
• Maintain strong relationships with friends and family.
• Walking, swimming, and other physical activities are essential as your health and body allow.
• Get the right amount of sleep.

Try to be happy. You often choose to have a positive outlook or not - choose a positive outlook. Some people do suffer from depression - if you do, be sure to talk to your doctor and get the proper treatment so you can enjoy life.