How do I get started?
The following questions are a starting point for planning new recreational activities.
- What sort of things do you currently do in your spare time?
- Are there any recreational activities you would particularly like to try?
- Do you have any health problems that would stop you from participating in activities?
- How much would you be prepared to pay for an activity
- What type of activities would you like to participate in?
- Do your friends or family members participate in a sport or activity that you would like to try?
The following groupings are just a beginning to get you thinking. There are literally hundreds of types of activities available!
- Art and craft classes
- Outdoor adventure
- Travel and trips
- Computer technology
- Sport
- Clubs and groups
- Physical activity/exercise groups, such as walking, water, Tai Chi, fitness.
Keeping active at work
Sedentary behaviour is a major contributor to obesity and chronic disease. Spending 8 hours or more a day in the workplace sitting at a computer has a significant impact on our health.
We can reduce the amount of time we sit at a desk and create a healthier environment at work.
- Make a standing workstation available
- Holding walking meetings
- Alerts on computers linked to outlook to remind staff to get up and stretch every hour
- Lunchtime walks
- Workplace pedometer/fit bit program
- Take the stairs instead of the lift
- If you are in the same office, don’t email a colleague, walk to their desk and talk to them
- Physical Activity Policy to embed behaviours into work practice
- Catering at meetings and functions to include fruit and water along with tea or coffee. Reduce soft drink and fruit juice consumption
- Box of fruit in the tea room. These can be ordered online and delivered to your place of work. Search Fruit Box Delivery
- Healthy Catering Policy to embed healthy eating messages into work practice
Create a Healthy Workplace- Resources & Tools
- Healthy Workers Initiative Portal
- Heart Foundation – Healthy Workplace Program
- 10,000 Steps -Healthy Workplace Program
- Creating a Healthy Workplace Vic Health
- Healthy Workplace Western Australia
- Get Moving Tasmania
- Exercise is Medicine-Active Workplace
- A workplace health and wellbeing toolkit
Develop a Healthy Workplace Policy
Where do I go to next for specific information and help?
There are many groups, organisations and associations that are involved in the provision of recreational activities throughout the community. It is impossible to give specific contacts or cover the thousands of opportunities available. The following connections however hold the key to many new and enjoyable recreational experiences for you.
- Local Government/ Councils - Community information/ recreation/ leisure/ seniors directories (usually list all clubs, groups and activities in your area together with contacts); try the Recreation/Aged Care or Community Development Officer at your Local Council.
- Local Community Centres/ Recreation and Fitness Centres
- State and Local Council Libraries
- Organisations such as Australian Retired Persons Association, National Seniors, Council on the Ageing, University of the Third Age, WEA, Heart Foundation Walking, all provide a variety of types of contacts, groups and activities.
Remember: you only need 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day to make a difference to your fitness and health!
You can also check out our Member Directory, which is full of organisations, communities and professionals that are passionate about active ageing and offer services that promote active and healthy lifestyles.