HOBBIES FOR SENIORS: Stay Mentally and Physically Active
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Retirement. It’s everyone’s dream of not having to work and being able to relax and enjoy life. However, this can have its own problems such as boredom, social isolation, and lack of purpose since working often helps people create meaning and a sense of belonging. If you are looking for ideas to give hobbies for seniors, here are some options to consider for retired and elderly people to stay fit and active.
Arts and Crafts – Hobbies for Seniors
Activities such as quilting, sewing, embroidering, needlework and making jewellery are arts and crafts that are often enjoyed by elderly females. These activities are ideal because they can be done alone and are a great way of stimulating the brain and keeping the mind alert. Arts and crafts can also be rewarding as they usually produce a piece of finished work that the artist can be proud of and share with their family and friends.
Reading – Hobbies for Seniors
George R.R Martin said that “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.” Books provide an opportunity to journey into faraway places, learn about new things, and have adventures that might not otherwise be possible, especially for older people. Books allow people to escape from everyday challenges and focus their mind on something different. For people who might have trouble reading, they can use a magnifying glass or consider borrowing audio books from a nearby public library.
Caring for a Pet – Hobbies for Seniors
While this might seem strange for people who have not cared for a pet in the past, having a pet reduces stress-inducing hormones and increases the production of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. Caring for a pet can be especially therapeutic after the passing of a spouse and provides the opportunity to fill the void of having something to care for. There are also studies that indicate that having a pet can lower cholesterol and fight depression.
Volunteering
Like caring for a pet, volunteering provides people with a sense of self- worth. Physical and cognitive decline can often happen when someone does not have a sense of purpose. Opportunities range from helping in community gardens to assisting other seniors with recreational activities or knitting blankets for premature babies.
Exercise or Yoga Classes
Just like at any other stage of life, physical activity is very important for older people. While this can take several forms including walking, learning yoga, or taking low-intensity dance classes, spending time working on physical health is very important. This is crucial for both physical and mental health as activities such as ballroom dancing can lower the risk of dementia.
Contrary to popular belief, we believe that “you can teach an old dog new tricks” and starting a new hobby is a great way to keep the mind, body, and spirit healthy and happy.
Credits to source: https://www.shhc.com.au/blog/statewide-home-health-care-blog/statewide-home-health-care-blog-latest/hobbies-for-seniors-keeping-your-body-and-brain-fi/
