4 Skills to Build on To Keep The Mind Active During Retirement

When you’re retired, you may often find yourself with a lot of time on your hands which you struggle to fill. That’s why retirement is the perfect time to pursue new passions and build on skills, all while keeping the mind active.

That’s why today, the forex experts over at Learn to Trade will be discussing some skills which you could build on during your retirement so that you can maintain an active lifestyle and discover new interests. From unleashing your creative side to learning forex trading and building skills from the comfort of your home, we’ll cover it all, ensuring that you put your retirement years to good use.

Unleash your creative side

A recent study has found that as little as 45 minutes of creative activity can significantly reduce stress while also keeping the mind active and agile. Whether you’d rather take up painting, drawing or a spot of easy-going DIY, expressing yourself is very therapeutic. Not only that, but when you’ve finished your project, you will feel accomplished having built on a new skill.

Some craft hobbies to explore include cross-stitching, embroidery or jewellery making, which you could even take up as part of a group to make it a social activity. It’s all about finding the right hobby that’s right for you, which will ultimately improve your chances of sticking to it and steadily building on your skillset as a result.

Learn forex trading

Not only will learning forex help you discover and build on a brand new skill set, but it can also help supplement your retirement income. Recent research has found that 62% of Americans feel like they need to improve their retirement savings, so there’s no time like the present to get boosting those savings.

The forex market operates on a 24/5 basis and is the largest and most liquid asset market accessible from the comfort of your home. Even if you’re busy with something else, it’s easy to keep your eye on the market – so trading can be an effective way to fill the large amount of time that comes with retirement.

Before you start trading, you’ll need to spend a long time learning about currency trading, then practising with online demo accounts. After all, finding the winning trading strategies takes a lot of practice – which makes forex trading a super-effective way to keep your mind busy. Of course, since you’ll have a lot of time on your hands, there’s little pressure to make profit immediately – capital preservation is essential when it comes to being a successful forex trader.

Keep up the exercise

Whether you’re looking to get in shape or simply discover a hobby which will make you feel healthier, exercise is a great way to feel the benefits almost instantly. One of the most effective activities you could take up is swimming – this low-impact exercise will not only help you keep fit, but can also be a great way to make friends along the way. Additionally, recreational swimming is an effective way to relax and feel good, while also building endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

Alternatively, yoga is a hobby that anyone can take up at any age, offering benefits from increased flexibility to improved muscle strength and tone. This makes it a perfect activity for those with arthritis due to its pain-relieving effects. Yoga is particularly effective to take up as part of a group, meaning it’s a practical way to meet like-minded people while keeping healthy all the while. You could even walk to your session to double the health impact – all while maintaining independence and mobility.

Build skills in the home

You can even build skills without leaving your home. Gardening is an effective way to ensure that you’re spending time in the outdoors, boosting your mental health while enjoying the smell of fresh flowers and even burning calories simultaneously. You could even try your hand at growing your own vegetables or fruit, which will help you feel accomplished alongside tasting delicious and making the perfect addition to some home cooking.

During the winter months, it can obviously become quite unappealing to spend time in the outdoors. Instead, why not try out some new recipes? Cooking or baking is much more fun if you have time to plan your dish. You could also try adding your own ideas to the recipe once you’ve mastered it – using some of your spare time to research, study cookery books and read magazines to gain the know-how on what works well.

So, the key to keeping your mind active during retirement is ensuring that you’re kept busy doing the things that you love most. After all, if you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s less likely to feel like a chore – and that’s exactly what retirement is all about!