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Surfing the net
People say that age is just a state of mind - it would be great if that were true, but those of us who are becoming conscious of expanding waistlines and slightly stiffer joints know that there is slightly more to the process than that! There is plenty of research, though, to show that keeping ourselves mentally fit and alert can also have an effect on our physical well-being. One of the challenges for us as we grow older is to keep up our enthusiasm for trying out new ways of doing things, learning new skills, or acquiring new friends. Technology is a great example of this. Whilst many older people have thrown themselves into learning about new communication technologies with enthusiasm, others can find the world of the internet and social networking a bit intimidating. And yet the internet can be enormously valuable to older people, both in opening up new opportunities for learning and leisure activities, and for the practical value that shopping online offers.
There are some great examples of how the internet can enrich your life after retirement. If you have always wanted to learn a language, for instance, but have never had the time till now, the internet offers lots of options. And they don't have to cost a penny! You can follow a programme at your own pace and at a time of day that suits you. Many offer the option of interacting with tutors and fellow-students online, and have clever ways to keep you interested, with crossword puzzles, language-related games, and the chance to talk to a native speaker in real time via Skype. (If you don't already use Skype, then it's well worth investigating. If you have children or grandchildren who live far from you, then you can get to see and talk to them almost as though they were with you in the same room.)
You can build on the leisure activities that you've always enjoyed by investigating what is offered online. Many people love the social scene and excitement that a visit to a bingo hall provides, for instance, and have never thought about the online alternatives. Explore an online bingo site like Jackpotjoy and you will discover all the fun offered by a traditional bingo hall, along with the advantages of an enormous range of games that you can play, and extra cash to start you off when you join. If you think that you might miss the social side of playing bingo, think again. Online bingo sites have whole communities of players waiting to welcome you, and chatrooms where you can make new friends, and swop stories about successes and new games that you've tried.
If you have particular interests or hobbies that you would like to develop, whether its history, gardening or water-colour painting, then you might like to explore the courses offered by the University of the Third Age. The range is amazing, and you can follow them all online. Current offerings include courses on creative writing, Great Northern European Artists, and garden history.
For planning a day trip the internet also offers lots of advantages. If you love visiting historic houses, you can search the National Trust's website for information on the nearest locations to you, browse through photos of their properties, find out about tours offered, and opening times. That way you are prepared and organized, and haven't had the hassle of making phone calls to discover the information that you need.
And if you are still feeling a little uncertain about getting to grips with the technology, the internet can help you there! There are online guides to using the internet which will take you through a step-by-step process, and before you know it you will be totally confident, and surfing the 'net like an expert.
