We encourage seniors to get off the couch and do something productive everyday – every single day! Now that you are no longer bound by work, there’s no reason for you not to get up, go out and explore. Retirement doesn’t necessarily mean staying inside your house, doing nothing. In fact, this is the right time for you to pursue long-forgotten interests and do something about your long-forgotten dreams.
I know, easier said than done right? But you need to exert an extra effort to stay active even in your retirement. Studies showed that staying active in all aspects of your senior life is essential in maintaining good quality of life.  The Journals of Gerontology has recently published a study showing that seniors who were able to maintain active social interactions lessen their risk for disability as well as disabling incidents that can lead to disability. It seems to me by staying socially active, you are keeping your mind as sharp as a knife!
A senior can maintain a socially active life in many ways. You just have to take that first step and make sure you keep up with the phase. It shouldn’t be annoying nor a bother to you since you will have fun while doing it making it feel less a task and more a lifestyle. Here’s what you can do to maintain a socially active lifestyle:
•    Join clubs. There are many clubs and organizations out there that are available to join depending on your interests. My suggestion is to go local especially if you are new to this kind of socialization. If you don’t have any idea where to start, you may ask friends and family members for recommendations or find them online. This is a good time to meet people of the same interests.
•    Volunteer. This is the beauty of retirement, you now have lots of time on your hands to do the things that matters to you the most. Volunteering will help seniors meet new people and do something productive and worthwhile.
•    Consider part time jobs. Working for years will make your mind and body form a habit which is harder to break than you might think. Working again, even part time, will help you slowly adjust to your new lifestyle while exposing you to new people and keep an active social life.
•    Reconnect with your old friends. Making new friends is harder than nurturing old ones so why not keep the connection going rather than starting new ones? Go places with your longtime friends, set up weekly meet ups and do some “catching up”. This way you’ll be able to be physically active and at the same time, sharpen your mind.