Keeping fit and pursuing hobbies is so important in retirement. When you don’t have work taking up all of your time, it’s important to keep the mind and body active in other ways. You’ve dedicated many years of your life to the daily grind, now is the time to focus on you! Having some fun sporting hobbies is a great way to go about this, and there are some that are especially suitable for those a little later in life. That’s not to say younger folk can’t enjoy these sports too, but since they’re low impact there’s less chance of injury, and they’re less demanding on the body than activities like running. Here are some relaxing sports and activities to enjoy in your retirement.

Fishing

While fishing itself isn’t likely to get your heart rate up, going fishing is likely to mean travel, walking and generally getting outdoors which is great for body and mind. It encourages peace and relaxation, bestows patience and has even been shown to boost the immune system. If you’re new to the sport, you could consider buying a fishing backpack, this will contain everything you need to get started. Plus it gives you an easy way to store and move your fishing equipment around which is useful if you will be hiking to the spot where you will be fishing.

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Golf

Your golf swing will use the muscles of your legs, arms and back- plus there’s a lot of walking with the sport so great for staying active. Golf is a great social sport and something you can get together and enjoy as a group, whether it’s for a full game or just at the driving range.

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Swimming

Swimming is a particularly good exercise since it uses just about every muscle in the body. It burns a lot of calories and is good for both muscle strength and the cardiovascular system. Best of all, it’s ideal for those with joint or muscle issues since the water supports your weight. If you have back or knee issues for example you might struggle with many other types of exercise whereas swimming would still be possible.

Tai Chi

The slow, controlled movements of tai chi won’t get your heart rate up, but the exercise can improve your balance, strength and flexibility. This ancient Chinese art has been shown to promote both mental and physical wellbeing. If you’re into mindfulness, meditation, yoga and these kinds of practices, then tai chi is one you are likely to enjoy. You don’t need any special equipment, either join a class or follow along to a video online.

Hiking

When you think of hiking, you probably think strenuous walks up mountains and navigating your way over rocky terrain. But hiking can be as easy or difficult as you make it. If you look at hiking routes local to you many will state that they are easy so you can get out and active without pushing yourself too much. Get yourself a sturdy pair of walking shoes, and if you have a dog, you could bring them along. Walking is great for the cardiovascular system and weight maintenance, plus it strengthens the muscles in the body without being too strenuous.