Structure in Retirement

While retirement is a wonderful time in our lives, providing an opportunity to ease off and try new things, it can also be challenging, particularly in respect to creating structure and the positive rhythms in our lives… If like me, you have spent the best part of forty years working and raising a family, life in retirement will be very, very different, with much more freedom, but much less in the way of structure and time pressures…

Our physical and mental health is fundamental to our longevity and happiness

For many, it will be challenging creating a new and different existence, finding meaning or maybe even a reason for getting out of bed in the morning? For me, the building block of my life in retirement, is activities and particularly exercise… Our physical and mental health is fundamental to our longevity and happiness. While for some folk, gardening, or a nice walk in the country could be enough. For me, the swimming pool and my gym membership is central to my life and helps create that structure and rhythm and a foundation that underpins my daily life. There are of course alternatives, and it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but the benefits of exercise, particularly as we get older, are I would argue irrefutable.

Affordable Membership

When I retired, I chose to join my local authority leisure centre, which here in Wiltshire (UK) gives me access to a total of twenty leisure centres within the country, all for a monthly membership of just £35. Now, maybe I’m unusual, but in an average week I probably swim or gym five or six times, giving an average cost of under £2 a visit. Now, I’m not expecting all of you to suddenly leap up and start exercising as often as I do! But even if you were to only go two or three times a week, it would still only be about £3 a visit, which for something that has so many benefits, is a genuine bargain!

Is going to the gym safe in retirement?

Remember a trip to the leisure centre, doesn’t have to involve discomfort or pain, it can simply be a leisurely swim, an easy walk on the treadmill a short spin on a static bike, or even some light exercises or stretching. Most gyms offer a complimentary induction, where the staff help build a plan that specific to you, your needs and your own objectives.

More than a pool & gym

Also don’t forget, many gyms and leisure centres also have a sauna, steam room or even a full spa and this is often included in the membership fee!

Being retired also means you can avoid the rush hours and are more likely to meet people of your own age and capabilities at the gym.

I think what is frequently overlooked when considering more structured activities like the gym, is the interaction with other folk, whether it be the staff or other members.

I find the act of going to swim or gym, in addition to the obvious physical benefits, really lifts my mood and is a vital part of my mental health. Oh yes, and I get to benefit of the ambience and warmth of the centre, and of course a free shower – not to be sniffed at in these times of rising costs and austerity!!