Age-net looks at 10 great ways to keep yourself busy this year
As each year comes and goes, the sense that you’re about to get just that one year older can generate a burst of enthusiasm to get yourself more active, more involved, and commit to a healthier way of living.Healthy living starts with having things do. Otherwise, you’d be left in the house, shouting at Jeremy Kyle shows and wondering what is happening to the world.
While we can all feel that life’s hectic enough without adding more to our schedule, there’s never anything boring about trying something new. Unless you don’t like it, in which case you can find something new again and give that a try.
If you’re at a stage where you feel you’re treading around like a hamster on a wheel and getting nowhere, bored with too much time, or just tired with the same old, then check out the list of 10 activities below. You’ll likely find there’s more than one activity that will peek your interest, and hopefully spur you to give it a try.
List of 10 Activities for Every Age!
Visit the Library
Boring? Perhaps, but it depends on what you like you do. If you enjoy reading, then you’ll certainly find plenty of enjoyment here and since council libraries are free, it’s not a strain on your finances. Provided you return the book on time, or you’ll pay about a 20p fine.
You might even find that there’s a regular book club, special interest group meetings, and other activities happening where you can meet up with likeminded people interested in the same books and topics you are.
If you’re not into reading, you’ll obviously not enjoy the trip so much, but you’ll certainly find plenty of special interest books that may just give you the one inspiring introduction to a hobby you can take up. Just pick up the book, read it, learn all about it, and then get started with your new hobby.
Everything from playing golf, to collecting model cars, and maybe even a guide to crocheting… The educational resources will be found in your local library.
Get in the swimming pool (or do anything else taking place in your local leisure centre)
The majority of councils have leisure centres. Even if they aren’t run by councils, they’re usually around, and more often than not, easily accessible by public transport so the car being off the road is no excuse.
Swimming has long been proven to boost health significantly, and even if you can’t swim, you’ll likely find that there’s classes available for you to learn.
If you’re not enthralled with the swimming idea, there’s other activities happening in the pool, such as water aerobics.
Take the grandkids to a museum near you
Too many people put off going places because they don’t have the money. There’s a lot to be said for free, because even when you’re strapped for cash, you can still enjoy a great day out.
All too often, when the grandkids come around, grandparents will be stuck on what they can do to keep them entertained. It usually leads to a trip down the highstreet, splashing cash on things they don’t need. Even if it’s at a quid here and 50p there, it soon adds up.
That cost could go towards the cost of bus fare (most public transport firms provide free travel to under 5s) to a museum near you and since most are free, or at minimum inexpensive, you could have yourselves out for most of the day, and everyone entertained.
Recommended Reading: Agenet’s picks of the Top 10 Museums you can visit for free
Take a stroll around the park
Parks are great for relaxing, providing it’s not lashing down in rain. For the days when the weather’s good, or even a bit chilly, you can always wrap up warmly and take a walk.
If you have a dog, even better as both of you can enjoy it. Just remember to pack your poop bags or it could be an expensive walk. Abide by the laws and park rules, keeping it beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
For parks that have ponds, and ducks you might be inclined to feed, check the park rules as there are some parks that no longer allow feeding the ducks, swans, and geese.
If you are feeding them, then instead of feeding them bread, as has long been traditionally done, you should heed the advice of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds warning not to feed bread to ducks, as it can cause them to develop Angel Wing. A deformation to the birds’ wing, preventing them from flying.
Instead of bread, nutritious foods are advised, such as the greens from your fridge, or even a small bag of bird food from your nearest vets. Vegetables will be the convenient choice, cheaper than a loaf of bread and you’ll enjoy it more knowing you’re contributing to their health.
Get fit in the gym
Gyms are everywhere; some affordable, some not so much. Especially if you don’t plan on using them often, as they are mostly subscription based pricing. Not so great when you only plan on using it once a fortnight.
Find a gym that allows you to pay per use. There may be a community gym near you where it could only cost £3 per hour to use the facilities.
If the gym sounds daunting, keep an eye on your local newspaper, because there are some excellent fitness instructors who run various classes weekly in different locations. They may hire a church hall, community centre, or other premises. You’ll find out about them in your local paper, via social media, (your Facebook page) as well as on notice boards in various local stores.
Potential for gym savings: If the only gym near you only has subscriptions, then ask your friends and family if they belong to any. Depending on the gym membership terms, you may find you’re able to split the cost with a friend and you can both use the gym (at different times). Ideal for when one person uses it in the evenings and the other in the mornings. Of course, there will be gyms that do not allow this practice, so check the membership terms, because there could be savings there for you and a friend.
Join your local bowling club
While it’s only possible to play on the green weather permitting, bowling clubs do their best to keep their members active in the dreary days too.
When you’re not on the green bowling, you could be attending an evening dinner dance, coffee mornings, or just have a place to go for a weekend get together with some new friends you’ll meet in the club.
England has over 2’500 bowling clubs with games being played as singles, teams of pairs, triples, or in teams of four, so it’s an activity you can do with your friends too. You can even pay and play in some clubs, so there’s no reason you can’t give the sport a try and see if it’s something you enjoy.
Improve your health with Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient martial arts exercise activity, deriving from China and expanding in the UK due to the proven benefits it has to aid health, fitness, and relaxation. The majority of gyms and some leisure centres too have regular Tai Chi classes and because of their nature, they can be done by anyone regardless of physical fitness.
Contact your local leisure centre, or gym, or ask around and you’ll likely find there’s a class taking place near you.
Discover something new or update your skills with local classes
Whatever you’ve wanted to do and put off, make this the year to do it. Contact your local college and find out what short courses, or evening classes they have available and learn something new.
You might even find something to upgrade your existing CV with, making you attractable to new employers, and help you with a career change you’ve put off long enough.
Give yourself the edge.
If you don’t have the time to devote to a class, look to online learning where you can learn at your own pace.
Join your local bingo club
Bingo has long been one of the nation’s favourite games. The bigger the club, the bigger the winnings, but playing isn’t about the prizes. It’s about the community. The cheaper quality food, gathering with friends, the laughing, the excitement, and the general atmosphere creating a great evening out.
Check out the clubs around your area. You may find you can get a great deal for your first visit. Providing it’s a modern bingo hall, as those have a restaurant and bar in the club. Your local community centre or perhaps even your church hall could also have bingo nights happening.
Grow your own vegetable garden or join an allotment group
Whether you have your own garden or not, you can get involved in gardening. For those without a garden, ask around your community about allotments, as there are many designed to encourage more people into organic gardening, while connecting people together with the same interest.
Groups are one option you have, but if you don’t want to join an allotment, and have your own garden, there are plenty of gardening resources available both online and books at your local library, which will let you know everything you need to start your own vegetable garden. Start enjoying the freshest and tastiest vegetables you may have ever experienced.
Quite a few of the activities listed above can be done with a friend, a group of friends, and others including the whole family too.
Do you know someone who’d be interested in participating?
