Growing old is a phase of life that everyone will have to pass. Most people would think of retirement as a time when they can wind down to relax and enjoy a slower pace. However, once they do reach that stage, they find themselves bored and lonely instead. This can be avoided if we take the effort to do something about it. The following are a few things that can help us grow old without feeling lonely.

The first thing to do is to get in touch with other people who are “in the same boat”. There should be many peer groups or social clubs in which senior citizens participate to keep each other company and look out for each other. These groups normally organize events and trips that you can participate in. Also, since you will relatively free at this stage, this would be an excellent time for you to seek out old friends and class-mates and rebuild your broken ‘links'. The worst thing to do is to be shy and keep yourself in your own corner.

Besides seeking out other people for company, you can also draw upon your vast experience and contribute to society. For example, if you had teaching as your career, you can get involved in social activities like providing free tuition classes organized by your local church; or become a mentor in a local public school. Instead of taking from society, you can contribute effectively while staying too busy to become lonely!

You can also keep yourself busy by taking up an exercise regime. Besides keeping busy, you will also help keep yourself fit and healthy. Go for daily walks in the park; or join classes for the elderly (for example, like line dancing). Regular exercise helps in providing a higher quality of life which indirectly helps in dealing with loneliness.

Nowadays there are no age barriers to education. You can keep yourself busy by taking up the course or qualification that you never had the time to do before. Since you are now studying for self actualization instead of career improvement, there is no pressure and you will be surprised to find that education can be enjoyable. Taking part in classroom activities like discussions and project work also provides you with the opportunity to interact with other people.

If you are not computer and Internet savvy, now is the time to become so. Register yourself for a computer class to familiarize yourself with the Internet and take part in the information revolution that the Internet is causing. You will be hard-pressed to be lonely when there are so much information to discover and so many online activities (for example, discussion groups, forums and chat rooms) to participate in.

The above are only a few suggestions to keep yourself busy. Remember that the right attitude to growing old will make a world of difference. Instead of worrying about growing old and lonely, get up and do something about it. You will probably discover growing old enjoyable!