1. Senior Fitness Classes
Plenty of gyms and health centres around the country offer tailored fitness classes for seniors. The most popular courses are yoga, Tai Chi and water aerobics. You may be surprised to find out that even your local library may host fitness classes or excursions, including walks. The average price is usually less than £10 for a senior gym membership. At GlaxoSmithKline sports and social clubs seniors aged 65 and over pay just £9 for club membership.
Contact 0800 221 441 for more details.
Read more about wellbeing stategies
2. Volunteer
Non-profit organisations are always on the lookout for volunteers to contribute to keep their charity or organisation ticking over, from working in a charity shop to cleaning beaches. If you still want to keep active and stimulated through a form of employment, then perhaps this could be for you. Visit http://www.volunteering.org.uk for more on which volunteer work will appeal to you most.
3. A New Hobby
Now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in a new hobby you’ve always wanted to take up. Whether it’s a physical exercise, like salsa or ballroom dancing, learning a language or taking up a new skill, many libraries and community colleges (who often host such activities) offer discounts for seniors. As a bonus, simply travelling to and from the classes will help you to get active in itself, while the classes will allow you to meet like-minded individuals. At some colleges, such as Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College, courses are free if you are a senior citizen, with a £20 enrolment fee. To find out more, call 0800 980 2175.
4. Travel
If you’ve not had the privilege of travelling the world then now is the perfect opportunity. Visit new places and experience different cultures. An exploration of countries can keep you physically and mentally active. Plus, a lot of travel companies offer packages for seniors, which can ensure you get the most out of the experience for an affordable price. Or you could organise the trip yourself as the research and planning will provide stimulation and fulfilment. Elder Treks is a fantastic website to use for organising exotic adventures because they cater especially for travellers aged 50+. With concentrated tours in every continent, there will be something there for everyone. Call the UK hotline on 0808 234 1714 or visit http://www.eldertreks.com for further details.
Read more about stategies helping you to make the best of your vacation
5.Gardening
Not only is gardening a brilliant way to lose unwanted calories, it is also a relaxing hobby that can be enjoyed outside in the fresh air. As well as plants and flowers, growing your own herbs and vegetables is a satisfying way to fill your time and (re)discover your green fingers.
See also: Loneliness in Old Age
