Retirement is a great time to rediscover your passions and pick up new hobbies. Hobbies can give us a sense of accomplishment and provide us with a meaningful avenue to explore our talents. Studies have shown that seniors who have hobbies often have a greater sense of self, stronger immune systems, and better mental and emotional health. Here are a few hobbies for elderly that can help you stay mentally and physically active.
Dancing
Dancing is a great way to stay active and get some extra exercise. Dancing also helps you feel connected with others. Some communities offer dance classes specifically designed for aging adults, while others have adult dance nights at local clubs and recreation centers. Of course, there’s no reason you can’t just grab a couple of your friends and head out to a club or an event that has dancing on its agenda. No matter how old you are, dancing is something everyone should experience at least once!
Practicing Yoga
Practicing yoga poses (or asanas) is a fun and active way for seniors to stay fit. Yoga builds flexibility, strength, and stamina; promotes blood circulation, and gives you a sense of well-being and satisfaction. You can do yoga at home or join a class at a nearby senior center or gym. Yoga helps keep the mind sharp as well as improve flexibility and balance. Additionally, it is low-impact and easy on your joints. Try different poses throughout the day; learning them over time will allow you to advance quickly.
Gardening
Every year as spring rolls around, millions of retirees decide that now is an excellent time to get their hands dirty and enjoy some fresh air. Gardening is a fantastic hobby because it gets you outside to soak up vitamin D from sunlight and requires your body to bend and stretch. Gardening is an exercise in both mind and body that keeps your noggin active and builds muscle tone. And don’t forget that gardening can be a fun way to socialize with friends and family!
Painting
Painting is a fun, simple hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. Not only will it help you release your creative side, but you’ll also get to keep your mind sharp. It’s important to stay engaged mentally as you age since one of the main contributors of memory loss is depression. Plus, physical activity has been proven time and again as one of our best methods for keeping Alzheimer’s disease at bay, so keeping your brain active will significantly help reduce your risk of developing dementia later on in life. Painting is an excellent pastime both for high school students trying to fill their weekend with something productive.
Sports
For people who are of sound mind, there is no better way to stay active than sports. You can join a recreational league if you haven’t played them competitively or recreationally throughout your life. Whether it’s tennis, swimming, soccer or badminton—get some friends together and play! You can also opt for individual sports like bicycling if you prefer that over team sports. Even just taking short walks with family members can help combat low levels of physical activity among persons in their golden years.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Playing jigsaw puzzles is a beautiful way for older people to stay active and engaged. Build a beautiful enigma with your spouse a few times a week to spend some quality time together. Jigsaw is also an excellent way to increase blood flow throughout your body, as well as stimulate both of your minds.
