Pickleball—it’s easy to learn, super social, fast-paced, fun, competitive but not too competitive. Everyone is nice and friendly. You can play all around the country with friends or strangers. Our kids could easily pick it up as well. I found my sport!

Knitting has proven to be more than just a hobby: it’s a source of stress relief, a way to stay mentally sharp, and a means to express creativity. Knitting can bring unexpected joy and fulfillment to your life.

Take your resistance training to the next level. Weight training improves mobility, reduces joint pain, and prevents or even reverses age-related muscle and bone loss.

Take your resistance training to the next level. Weight training improves mobility, reduces joint pain, and prevents or even reverses age-related muscle and bone loss.

Rucking is walking outside at a brisk pace with a weighted or loaded backpack. This transformative workout takes an ordinary walk and turns it into a dynamic routine.

In the tumultuous year of 2020, when the world grappled with the challenges posed by the pandemic, my life, like many others, underwent a significant transformation. This unexpected turn of events propelled me to reevaluate my approach to fitness.As it turned out, the solution was waiting just beyond my doorstep. It was time to lace up my running shoes and hit the trails!

Think of birding as an invitation to pay attention to the world around you. Think of it as a practice of observing and noticing. Think of it as a way to connect to our avian companions, a way of being close to a part of nature that’s available wherever we are, whether it be in a city park or a quiet forest. Birding can take us out of ourselves and our daily worries. It can bring us joy and a sense of connection. It can reawaken a sense of childlike curiosity and wonder, and most of all, it can be fun. 

By Diana Sunshine In our series, Active You, we’ve been on a mission to showcase the incredible benefits of staying active and learning new things. Not only is embracing new challenges invigorating, it’s also fantastic for your brain. Learning, in particular, is a crucial ingredient for nurturing neuroplasticity—the brain’s amazing ability to adapt and grow.Continue reading “Try Learning the Guitar”

The time of year has rolled around when you might be thinking about trying a new way to stay active as the start of fall nears. Whether you have participated in various yoga classes over the years or have only dappled, consistent yoga practice is beneficial for your overall well-being.  It is never too lateContinue reading “Try Yoga: Finding Your Practice”

By Diana Sunshine When recently tasked with writing my six-word memoir, I came up with “First on the dance floor—always.” As someone who trained as a classical ballet dancer for 14 years, I never pass up an opportunity to dance, whether at a large celebration, alone at home, or to my daughter’s horror—with my husbandContinue reading “It’s Time to Dance”

Looking for a fantastic way to soak up the great outdoors and revel in nature’s beauty? Mountain biking is just the activity leaving you feeling invigorated and accomplished with numerous benefits. It’s a safer endeavor compared with road riding with cleaner air to breathe where you don’t have to worry about cars on paths, trails,Continue reading “Try Mountain Biking”

by Diana Sunshine, Big Retired Life Founder It’s never too late to try something new and test your abilities. Surfing is often only thought of as an activity for the young and adventurous, but as someone who learned to surf at the age of 50, I can tell you this isn’t true. Like myself, olderContinue reading “Try Surfing”

As winter rages on across the United States, it can be hard to maintain a regular exercise routine. From the west coast’s record-breaking snow and rain to the ice storms in the midwest and Nor’easters on the east coast, outdoor activities, even winter ones, may not be an option. However, there’s a solution: indoor bodyweightContinue reading “Try Strength Training”

By Diana Sunshine I know some of you might wonder why this “Active You” post is about meditation. I mean, sitting and trying to empty your mind doesn’t sound all that active, right? But trust me—meditation is an active, daily practice that takes dedication and provides some pretty surprising benefits. For me, meditation has beenContinue reading “Try Meditation”

By Michele Kirsch, founder of Chirpy Golf Undoubtedly, many people don’t take up golf because it’s a sport that takes a lot of time. Well, that’s true to an extent. Yet, once you have the time, the sport is easy to start, and you’ll enjoy it so much that you won’t notice the time commitment.Continue reading “Got time? Take up golf!”

If you are an active person looking for a fun winter sport—try skiing.  It’s great for physical, mental, and social well-being—all beneficial to longevity.  Physical fitness: A 2011 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports found that 12 weeks of skiing leads to an increase in aerobic capacity, leg muscleContinue reading “Try Skiing”

A great all-weather activity to add to your workout routine is indoor bouldering. All the necessary gear is available at your local climbing gym, and with nearly 600 climbing gyms across the country, it’s easy to find one close by. Climbers invented bouldering to practice difficult moves close to the ground safely. Since no ropesContinue reading “Try Bouldering at a Climbing Gym”

If you are an avid walker or day hiker, backpacking is a great way to turn that passion into a full-blown adventure. And there’s no better time to try something new than during retirement. In fact, studies show that being outdoors is highly beneficial to everyone and especially to older adults. According to the U.S.Continue reading “Try Backpacking”

Physical activity is key to a long and healthy life, and yet, a significant percent of the adult population doesn’t exercise.  The New York Times, in a May 12, 2021 article by Gretchen Reynolds, noted “We already have plenty of evidence that exercise affects how long and well we live … studies show that olderContinue reading “Build an Active Mindset and Life”