So you’re approaching retirement. Congratulations! You’re about to enjoy a whole new world of virtually unlimited freedom. However, some retirees find themselves wondering about the logistics of life in retirement. After all, adults who work full-time typically spend at least eight hours of the day at the office – which translates to a lot of newfound leisure time after retirement. In fact, the most recent American Time Use survey found that people ages 65 to 74 spent an average of about seven hours per day on leisure activities. So how do retirees spend their time?
How Do Retirees Spend Their Time?
Kicking Back
Retirees spend much more time relaxing and thinking than any other age group. One study found that retirees spent about 40 minutes relaxing per day, compared to just 17 measly minutes for all Americans. So what does that relaxation time entail? First, post-retirement relaxation often includes TV time – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that people ages 65 to 74 watch an average of nearly four hours of TV each day. The same study found that people between ages 65 and 74 spend about 38 minutes per day reading, compared to just a third of an hour for the entire population. Retirement seems like a great excuse to finally pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read.
Giving Back
For many retirees, retirement is an opportunity to finally get more engaged with their community. U.S. News and World Report found that retirees spend an average of a little over a half-hour volunteering each day, whether that’s through civic activities like town halls or religious activities like church services. Overall, retirement presents a chance to give back in new and engaging ways.
Beautifying Their Space
There’s no place like home – especially when you have the time and energy to spruce yours up. Many retirees use their extra time to improve their homes; in fact, people between the ages of 65 and 74 years spend nearly 2.5 hours per day doing so. That includes everything from routine household maintenance to lawn and garden care and even DIY renovations.
Wining and Dining
Gone are the days of scarfing down a bowl of cereal before you fly out the door to work. Retirees enjoy a more flexible schedule, which means more time to enjoy the finer things in life – like delicious meals or sharing a bottle of wine with friends. Retirees can also channel that newfound free time into exploring new culinary endeavors, like taking a cooking class or hosting a dinner party.
Seeing the World
Ask any retiree about their retirement to-do list, and you’ll likely hear the same answer again and again: “Travel.” Globally, almost one million AirBnB users are over 60, a figure that points to older adults traveling more frequently – and more adventurously. Cruise data points to the same conclusion, with massive growth in the cruise industry during the last decade catering to senior cruisers, who represent more than half of cruise passengers.
_____
There’s a reason your post-retirement period is called your “golden years.” Retirement presents the opportunity to finally spend your time exactly how you want to spend it – whether that’s working in your garden, seeing the world, or connecting with your community. So how do retirees spend their time? The sky really is the limit.
Are you looking for a community that provides a positive, healthy atmosphere where you can live out your golden years? The Shores of Lake Phalen is an assisted living community in a quiet, peaceful environment in Maplewood, Minnesota. Surrounded by a gorgeous wooded setting between two lakes, our residence offers the accessibility of apartment-style housing with the atmosphere and elegance of a resort. We offer numerous health and safety amenities, fun events and activities, a friendly and accommodating staff, and so much more. Schedule a tourof the community to explore our spacious apartments, elegant dining room, and more. We look forward to hearing from you!