What to do as a retiree? 10 hobbies for couples in the second half of life
The longer you are together with your partner, the more important it becomes to have regular and varied leisure activities. If there is a lack of shared experiences and fun falls by the wayside, it can quickly become boring in a relationship. Shared hobbies help to break up everyday life and strengthen the relationship. Sometimes they even provide material for wonderful, unforgettable stories!
Shake a leg
Dancing is fun, strengthens the muscles and burns calories. Working on different dance steps and figures together promotes teamwork. There are courses and workshops for beginners and advanced dancers for many ballroom dances, such as waltz or salsa. You don't have to be the best dancer to sign up. If you are unsure, take a trial lesson first. If you both enjoy dancing, the dance floor in the dance class can also become the dance floor in your living room or even your own garden!
Ball sports in different variations
Tennis or squash? Golf or miniature golf? Each of these sports has its own appeal. Tennis can be played together with a partner and offers the opportunity to train endurance, strength and coordination. Ideally, this hobby can be played both in winter (indoors) and in summer (on the tennis court). Learning and improving the different techniques is a challenge that you can face together. In a club you will find like-minded people.
If you like fast games, squash is the perfect hobby. Here, two players take turns hitting a ball against the wall with a racket with the aim of preventing the opponent from reaching it when it bounces back. Due to the small distance between the players and the wall, this sport requires a quick reaction time and physical fitness.
Golf is a traditional ball sport played on a large and largely natural playing field. The ball is to be played with a golf club in as few strokes as possible from the tee into a hole several hundred metres away. This requires sensitivity and good technique.
A more leisurely sport, the smaller version of golf, so to speak, is minigolf. Basically, minigolf is played on paved courses with two players or more, so it is ideal for couples. What counts here is skill, fine motor skills and concentration. Together with your partner, you can work on tactical strategies to break your own records.
Pack your swimming trunks
Swimming is a hobby that can be enjoyed by all ages and has a lot of health benefits. It exercises the muscles, improves venous return in the legs (good for oedema) and strengthens the circulation. Thanks to the weightlessness, swimming is also extremely easy on the joints. Whether breaststroke or backstroke, in an indoor or outdoor pool, in a lake or in the sea: swimming with your partner lifts your spirits and relaxes your body and mind. Satisfied smiles guaranteed.
Join a theatre group
Welcome to the stage! Acting is a fun way to spend time together. The prerequisite is that you enjoy taking on different roles and are willing to learn texts by heart. Playing theatre stimulates the imagination and boosts self-confidence. Many villages and towns have amateur theatres that welcome new members. Improvisational theatre is also suitable for the brave. Here, the actors perform a scene without any manuscript. They react spontaneously to the actions of the other actors and the reactions of the audience.
On a discovery tour by bike
Scenic highlights, fresh air and a good mood in your luggage - cycling keeps you fit and is fun. On the countless cycle paths in Germany, you can explore nature reserves, cycle around lakes or through valleys. You can choose between leisurely or challenging routes. Cycling together creates a feeling of togetherness, and experiences on the tour provide entertainment and conversation. Cities can also be explored by bike.
In recent years, electric bikes (pedelecs) have become increasingly popular. These bikes are equipped with a motor that supports the rider while pedalling. This means that even strenuous hills are no longer a problem. Many models with different levels of comfort are now available on the market. When buying, the bike should be checked for robustness, manoeuvrability and riding characteristics. The battery should be quick to charge and offer sufficient range.
Before starting, check that the handlebar and saddle height are correct. For optimal riding comfort, adjust the saddle so that you can comfortably reach the pedals with your heel when sitting straight and your upper body is not bent forward too much.
You're never too old to play!
When did you last have a games evening? Rummy, chess, Yahtzee & Co. make for a fun evening for two. Leave the TV off and take time for each other. Clear the table and get your favourite games out of the cupboard. Add a glass of wine and some nibbles - and off you go! Of course, you are also welcome to invite friends who love to play. If everyone brings a few card and board games, it will be especially varied.
Doing puzzles together is also a perfect gap filler for an uneventful afternoon. The challenge of finding the individual pieces in teamwork is stimulating and makes you forget about everyday life. The overall result makes you proud and makes you feel happy. Advantage: You can take a break at any time.
Skittles - excitement and relaxation at the same time
Bowling is suitable for people who want to be physically active but not completely exhausted. In hobby bowling, everyone can get started quickly and soon experience their first sense of achievement. Only a little physical control is required. During the game, there is enough room for conversation and the consumption of a drink or two. Advanced players work on technique, step sequence and throwing movement. The different counting methods in bowling usually leave the score open until the end, which guarantees excitement until the last throw.
Bowling is an American variant of skittles. The main difference between skittles and bowling is the number of pins (cones). Here there are ten instead of nine. Other differences are the lane width and the balls, which are larger and heavier. Both variants are fun!
When sailing, the worries stay on land
Sailing is a fascinating hobby. The play of wind and waves, the alternation between joy, tension and relaxation make sailing an extraordinary experience. To get all the basic information about sailing, a course lasting several days to several weeks is necessary and for many waters a sailing licence (sports boat licence).
Even if it looks easy from the outside, the challenge of this hobby is to assess factors such as wind and weather, to check boat and equipment and to comply with all safety measures. For experienced sailors, however, this is a fulfilling hobby that is great to experience as a couple. If you don't want to get a sailing licence but still want to get a taste of the sea, you can go out on a pedalo or float down the river on an inflatable boat.
Enjoy nature while hiking
What could be better than discovering nature together with your favourite person? Especially when the weather is nice, get out of the flat and into the fresh air! Lace up your hiking boots, leave your familiar surroundings and discover new places on foot. Enjoy the flora and fauna together and enjoy a delicious snack on a bench (preferably with a beautiful view). Walking for hours has a meditative effect, the rest after the exertion is good for you. It doesn't necessarily have to be the mountains. You will certainly find worthwhile destinations for your excursion into the countryside in your neighbourhood. You're sure to remember your shared experiences for a long time to come. And by the way, hiking exercises almost all the muscles of the body and the cardiovascular system.
Make sure your hiking backpack fits well. Otherwise, painful tension will be the result. It should have padded shoulder straps and, if possible, a hip belt. A breathable back area is particularly pleasant in summer.
Travelling broadens the horizon
For many people, travelling and getting to know new cultures has become a real passion. Even planning a holiday is fun and a distraction from everyday life. Write down which places you absolutely have to visit or which activities you have always wanted to do on holiday. A cruise? City break? Wellness holiday? Now you can travel when and how you like. You are no longer tied to holiday times or weekends. If you don't want to go far afield, there are also countless opportunities for a break at home. Mountains, lakes, the sea, forests and national parks are waiting to be discovered!
Conclusion
Positive experiences and memories are important for our partnership. We create a basis for this with shared hobbies. They connect and keep the relationship alive. So try out everything you can. Because no matter whether it's fun or a flop - it will be a shared experience. Positive experiences and memories are important for our partnership. With shared hobbies we create a basis for this. They connect and keep the relationship alive. So try out everything you can. Because no matter whether it's fun or a flop - it will be a shared experience.
