Boomer On Fire #333 - Fore!
Boomers - Living Our Best Lives
Welcome to Boomer on Fire, the newsletter that inspires and motivates baby boomers to live their best lives.
Living your best life is more fulfilling when you enhance it with games and sport.
Learning a New Sport as a Boomer
It’s Never Too Late
Have you ever watched people playing a game or participating in a sport and thought to yourself: “I’d love to give that a try.” But then that nagging little voice told you that you were too old, too out of shape, or you would embarrass yourself. Maybe it’s time to tell that little voice to pound sand.
The Positives
There are a lot of benefits to taking up a new sport, even as a baby boomer.
Health
Engaging in sports can improve your cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and balance. All great means to fighting age.
Mental Stimulation and Engagement
Learning new skills, strategies, and rules involved in a sport can help keep the mind sharp and keep you engaged. Life is about a lot more than reading whodunits or binge-watching the latest action series.
Social Interaction
Joining a group of players or a team gives you great opportunities to meet new people. It’s hard to feel lonely when you keep bumping into your doubles partner on the Pickleball court.
Flexibility in the Activities
Many games and sports can be adapted to different skill levels and physical abilities. That helps when you’re trying to find an activity that suits your individual needs.
The Downsides
There are a few factors that you need to take into consideration when taking up new physical activities.
Injury Risk
Older adults may have a higher risk of injury due to decreased bone density, muscle mass, and flexibility. New sports can lead to strains, sprains, or other injuries. Honestly, I tend to let memories of my younger days fool me into thinking something new will be “a piece of cake”. My knees, shoulders, and lower back tend to protest rather vehemently the next day or two.
Frustration with Learning Curve
This is a frustration. I have found that, as I grow older, learning new movement patterns takes longer than it used to. You need to be patient and stick with something for a while. It’s easy to give up on something before getting to the point where it becomes enjoyable.
Overexertion
It’s easy to overdo it, especially when measuring yourself against younger or more experienced participants. Relax; give yourself a break
Expense
Some sports require expensive equipment. Some are much more enjoyable after having lessons. Either way, that can crimp a fixed budget.
It’s important to assess your health, abilities, and preferences when considering a new sport. You should consult with your healthcare provider first. My attorney would be very pleased for me to state that nothing here should be construed as medical advice.
But now for the fun stuff. Let’s look at some things that would be interesting to try.
Golf: This sport encourages walking and can be a social activity. It also lets you dress funny without incurring ridicule.
Pickleball: Popular among all ages, but especially with older adults. It’s a fun, social sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is suitable for everyone and can be played indoors or outdoors.
Swimming: A low-impact activity that is easy on the joints. A full-body workout that can improve flexibility, strength, and endurance. The only thing missing is the social aspect.
Yoga: This practice enhances flexibility, balance, and mental well-being. You can find classes that cater to different skill levels, making it accessible for beginners.
Walking and Hiking: Simple yet effective, you can do these at various intensities. These are great ways to enjoy nature while promoting cardiovascular health.
Rowing, Kayaking, or Canoeing: There is something special about water-based activities. They can improve cardiovascular fitness and upper body strength. Being on the water adds a special dimension of peace and a feeling of well-being. You can go as part of a group or as an individual.
Some other activities to consider are dance, martial arts like Tai Chi, cycling, and cross-country skiing.
So why not add to your quality of life and take up a new sport…or two? Just do yourself a favor and repeat after me: “easy does it”.
It’s easy to get all “Euro-centric” when thinking about travel. But for those in the U.S., there is so much to see within our own borders. Check out this Bucket List of ten things to see and do in the U.S. If you’re not from the U.S., we would love for you to join us.
What do you do if you’re a real travel enthusiast but have foregone much travel because you can’t bear the thought of leaving a four-legged member of the family behind? Problem solved.
Thanks for reading. Go out and live your best life!
Kevin
My favorite sport is at the moment lap swimming! I must say I meet a lot of people. You are resting sometimes at the end of a lap and there are swimmers, who are starting chatting with you! So in my opinion it is a social sport!