How to Overcome Boredom in Retirement

For many seniors, boredom can become your worst enemy in your retirement years. While life after work is meant to be seen as a time of freedom, for some that freedom doesn’t often feel so “free” and can result in feelings of apathy. With so much free time at your disposal, it can sometimes feel as though you’re stuck in a cycle of procrastination without the means to get out of it – whether you have financial constraints, are physically unable to or even just lack the motivation.  

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t worry you are certainly not alone. And fortunately, with a little inspiration, you can beat the boredom and make the most of your retirement. Here are some top tips to get you started.  

Alter Your Mindset 

For some people, this will be the hardest hurdle to overcome, but that just makes it all the more necessary to face. You should ask yourself whether you are putting off trying new things to alleviate your boredom out of a lack of self-confidence or anxiety over not fitting in. But when you really think about it, you have as much right to start a new hobby or join a club as anyone else, so why miss out on all the fun? Try to replace your limiting beliefs with reasons to put yourself out there (i.e. you’ll have fun, you’ll learn a new skill or meet new people, etc), and remember, sometimes the best thing to do is throw caution to your anxieties and take the plunge! 

Get Creative 

With more creative outlets for seniors available than ever before, taking up a hobby that allows you to express yourself has never been easier! You could take an art or pottery class, which are often run by local colleges or council schemes. You could even look into joining a local choir or singing group if you enjoy performing but don’t feel confident enough to go it alone.  

Play Games 

Games like chess, bridge and bingo are all typically available both online and at local community centres. It’s a great way to keep social – whether you choose to play with friends, neighbours or relatives – and helps to keep parts of your brain active. They’re also all activities that you can enjoy on a budget (with bingo, you might even win some money in the process!) 

Try Volunteering 

Whether it’s a regular or occasional commitment, volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding use of your time with plenty of benefits for you and the organisation you support. You could: 

• Try your local food bank, shops, school, leisure centre, church, museum or art gallery.  
• The National Trust and other historical organisations rely heavily on retired volunteers to share their passion for history with visitors to their sites.  
• You could give back to the younger generation in your community as a mentor. The One Million Mentors programme trains and matches up mentors with young people who have unmet needs, and has transformed so many lives.  

Bespoke Stairlifts in Milton Keynes & Beyond 

If you find that your limited mobility is impacting your confidence in later life, investing in a stairlift is a fantastic way to regain a sense of independence. At Alfix, we supply and install a wide range of new and reconditioned cheap stairlifts in Luton, Aylesbury, Kettering, Milton Keynes and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a straight or curved stair lift on a permanent or rental basis, get in touch with our team today by calling 01926 334848.