A Life When the Nest Is Empty

Life can become a trudge and man can get burnt out in the vicious cycle of making a career, growing a family and making sure the kids establish well. Once the nest is empty, this couple has gray hair, rusty joints and LOTS of time.

Time is a criterion that needs to be taken care of since it is essential for the mind and the body to be able to continue to make a connection and stay focused and alive for the coming years even though there is no goal in mind.

Time to develop a hobby!

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.-Mark Twain

Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years. Ausonius

In my youth I stressed freedom, and in my old age I stress order. I have made the great discovery that liberty is a product of order. Will Durant

You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. George Burns

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. Mark Twain

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art. Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

Scientists have proven that performing activities is essential at any age to help calm the mind and look forward to completing it while contributing to release stress as the body continues to age. Hobbies contribute to improving mental clarity while enhancing the immune system as the self-confidence and inner strength rises.

Being busy, interested and involved in a task helps towards healthy aging, as the person is motivated and has a goal for that day.

Some hobbies a senior citizen could undertake are:

Exercises that can keep them moving

Research has concluded that activity tends to decrease:

• Death prematurely
• Risk of heart disease
• Developing Colon Cancer
• Risk of high blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Flexibility
• Control weight

Activities such as Walking, Tai chi, and Gentle yoga are highly recommended

Walking is a great activity for senior citizens. It's cheap, simple and has benefits to maintain mobility and independence.

Tai Chi is a meditative practice that goes from one pose to another and is low impact on the joints. It improves balance, strength, and flexibility. Usually, these classes are conducted in community centers or gyms.

With the slow movements, the muscles are toned and stretched while helping the seniors prevent falls as they attain good balance.

Swimming or Water Exercises: Water exercises are low impact and yet can improve endurance and flexibility as the water can help relieve stress on the bones and joints. Swimming helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the back, arms, legs and shoulders. No doubt, water is a fun activity, but the individual has to make sure to stay hydrated before and after the swimming exercise.

Gardening: Spending time in a greenhouse is not only a wonderful way to get that extra perk of pure oxygen, but also a good way of exercising. Removing weeds, digging, watering are some of the activities where you would require working with your muscles and no doubt, Mother Earth will pay back with bounties of fragrance and fresh vegetables that would be good for the heart and health.

Bending and squatting could be a tedious affair. Thus, the seniors could use the right tools that have a good grip and long handles to avoid straining the back and strain the shoulder muscles. Gardening hobby is usually done in warm weather. Thus, the citizen should make sure to be hydrated and be dressed appropriately to avoid being sunburned.

Volunteering

Time to give back to the society. Volunteering one's time not only helps the senior to venture out but also helps bridge the generation gap by working or assisting the younger generation, and even learn from them. It helps them stay active, involved and thus contribute to maintaining a good mental health. Volunteering also enables the individual to move around thus, allowing him to stay active, which helps ward off diseases, injury and senility.

Clubbing such as Play a game of cards, Chess, Bingo

Laughter can also take an individual a long way. Socializing in the evenings with a match of cards with friends or playing bingo or chess can not only help seniors exchange a few waves of laughter but also lighten them in the company of like-minded people.

My 2 cents

One life many opportunities thus, Never say Never and keep moving even if the hair is gray, and wrinkles surround the eyes. Your wisdom and experience have lots to offer to the community and you still have many miles to go before you breathe your last!