How Are Hobbies and Interests Good for Aging?
What do you do for fun? Do you have hobbies or interests? Do you have a passion for something that ignites or motivates you? Many older adults lose purpose as they age. We experience empty nests when our children leave, and many face the end of their careers. Finding hobbies or interests as we age may be the solution to our search for purpose.
When my last daughter married and I was completely alone, I struggled for a year. My children were why I got up in the morning and went to bed at night. I had to find a new purpose and discover myself again. It took work. It took a year of purposeful thinking and redirecting my energy to find my way. I downsized, hit the road, and traveled for a couple of years. I visited National Parks, made new friends, read a lot, and spent time reflecting. I discovered a love of hiking, nature, writing, reading, and volunteering. I slowly built a life and found peace and happiness in solitude.
Today, I write this blog. I volunteer full-time for the National Park Service doing interpretation and get immense satisfaction from giving back. I hike daily, see beautiful scenery, and interact with hundreds of people from all over the world. I love to read, and I joined a book club where I get paid to write book reviews! I see the world by traveling abroad every few years, and I stay for 6 months, volunteering for different needy organizations. My life is full, and I have found my passions. It is a healthy, positive lifestyle that fits me perfectly. I have fun, and I have new interests
Finding hobbies and interests as we age has significant physical and mental benefits, including improved cognitive function, reduced stress, increased social connection, and a sense of purpose. There is scientific evidence that finding a purpose as we age has strong health benefits. A study at Harvard University found that people with a sense of purpose performed better with aging markers like grip strength and walking speed and were less likely to experience physical decline.
More health benefits to hobbies and interests are increased physical activity through gardening, dancing, and hiking. Physical activity lowers the risk of chronic disease, combats depression, and promotes overall well-being. Let’s look at some specific benefits and examples of what those activities may look like, and then we will look at the top 15 hobbies and interests in aging.
Creative activities:
- Painting, drawing, sculpting: enhances cognitive function, self-expression, and fine motor skills.
- Knitting, crocheting: improves hand-eye coordination, relaxation and can be a social activity.
- Writing, journaling: promotes self-reflection, cognitive stimulation, and memory recall.
- Photography: promotes a creative outlet, encourages exploration, and captures memory.
- Walking, swimming, yoga: maintains cardiovascular health, flexibility, and balance.
- Dancing: improves coordination, mood, and social interaction
- Gardening: offers physical activity, fresh air, and a sense of accomplishment
- Hiking, biking: enhances cardiovascular health, outdoor engagement, and social connection
- Reading, book clubs: stimulates critical thinking, social interaction, and exposure to new ideas.
- Chess, puzzles, crosswords: sharpens cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities
- Learning a new language: improves cognitive function and memory.
- Volunteering: provides a sense of purpose, social interaction, and gives back to the community
- Joining clubs (art, music, gardening, etc.): facilitates social connection and shared interest.
- Playing board games: enhances social interaction and cognitive engagement.
There are some important considerations when choosing hobbies or special interests in aging.
- Physical ability: Select activities appropriate for your current physical fitness level and be adapted as needed. You can start slow and increase activity levels and types of activities as stamina and strength improve.
- Cognitive ability: Choose activities that are mentally stimulating and engaging. Pick and engage in activities that boost brain function and connectivity, helping to protect against age-related degeneration.
- Social needs: Consider hobbies and interests that include interaction with others. These activities improve cognitive connections, maintain independence, prevent isolation, and lower the risk of depression.
- Personal interests: Search for hobbies that align with your passions and interests and fit your personality, physical ability, and available resources. Think about whether you like being active, working with your hands, learning new things, etc.
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Reading
- Birdwatching
- Handicrafts
- Genealogy
- Book Clubs
- Hiking
- Music
- Community Groups
- Fitness Activities
- Painting
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Volunteering
- Dance
Don’t limit the type of hobby or interest based on what is popular. If you have a special skill set or interest, search for a way to apply that in teaching a class, mentoring a child, or starting a club of your own. One source of interest we didn’t talk about was the internet. If you are homebound or have limitations, choose an activity available through your computer. There are video games, writing, visual arts, adult coloring books, and clubs you can join. The benefits are the same, whatever you choose. We have touched on a few choices, but whatever activity or hobby you decide to do, the benefits to our aging process are verifiable and worth the commitment.
I engage in several activities regularly: volunteering, reading, writing, hiking, and traveling. I have started to explore bird watching as an add-on to my hiking and I am taking classes on interpretation. Aging can offer endless possibilities for growth and change. We can open the door to opportunities if we allow ourselves the mindset through positive thinking. Silver Chats believes in holistic aging through healthy, positive change. Engaging in hobbies and pursuing interests helps us discover the endless possibilities of aging.