Every child on an endlessly long car ride has probably said it: “I’m so bored I could die!” Melodrama aside, dying of boredom may not be as far-fetched as many eye-rolling parents think. A 1980s British study of over 7,500 civil servants found that those who felt bored at work were more than twice as likely to die of heart problems 25 years later than those who did not report being bored.*

Boredom, explained

What is boredom? Merriam-Webster defines it as, “the state of being weary or restless through lack of interest,” and for seniors who may have challenges in accessing activities, travelling to them, and finding others to join them, boredom can be a daily companion. Boredom also goes hand in hand with loneliness,* which, as some research suggests, is asdangerous to healthas smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Combatting boredom

There are numerous ways for seniors to combat boredom, including keeping mentally, physically and spiritually active, trying new things, and importantly,maintaining a social lifewith friends and family. But while it’s easy to identify the antidotes to boredom, how do you apply them?

How retirement living can help

Retirement communities offer a prescription for healthy, active living, where residents enjoy a satisfying, meaningful lifestyle, and boredom seldom flourishes.

For example, just check theactivity calendarat a Chartwell retirement residence, and you’ll find recreational activities to keep you mentally fit, such as discussion groups, lessons on navigating social media, book clubs, and Scrabble tournaments.

Staying physically active is just as easy with chair yoga, Tai Chi, walking groups, anddedicated exercise classes.

Feeling creative? How aboutart and music groups, gardening, and craft sessions?

People with a sense of purpose are seldom bored, and retirement residences also offervolunteer opportunitiesfor residents, partnering with local charitable organizations and causes.

For many seniors, what makes these activities especially fulfilling, is the enjoyment indoing them with fellow residents. The numerous planned social activities, such as themed dinners, happy hours, outings, celebrations, and religious services, make boredom a distant memory.

即使是那些不认为自己特别“社交”的人，也能找到与他人联系的自发方式。设计有公共空间，鼓励人们聚集在一起喝咖啡、喝饮料、吃顿饭，或者只是在壁炉边聊天，退休住宅是真正的社区，在这里员工和居民形成持久和满意的关系。

Learn more about the leisure experiences residents at your nearest Chartwell residence are enjoying. Call1-855-461-0685to arrange a no-obligation personalized tour.