30 Senior-Friendly Hobbies that Promote Engagement and a Healthier Quality of Life
Author: Debbie Humphrey
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a hobby as “a pursuit outside of one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.”
There is no shortage of hobbies and activities that people can participate in throughout West Pasco and Pinellas Counties. After all, our inviting climate promotes indoor and outdoor play year-round. However, seniors need to choose safe hobbies and activities they enjoy most so they will frequently participate.
“Hobbies for seniors are an easy path to a sense of fulfillment and well-being and will ensure your days at home are positive and full. Studies have found an association between enjoyable leisure activities and psychological and physical well-being. People who frequently engage in hobbies they love tend to live longer and experience less severe disease and illness,” says Everdays, a life and long-term care insurance broker for aging adults.
January is National Hobby Month, so I went in search of and found suggestions from our friends at Freedom Square of Seminole for 30 senior-friendly hobbies that promote engagement and a healthier quality of life.
Learn a new language. Researchers at Edinburgh University found that seniors who learn a new language improve their brain function and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Download a free app such as Duolingo to get started.
Play a musical instrument. Find an instrument you’d like to learn and teach yourself how to play. Harmonica, piano, and ukulele are the easiest to learn, but you can check here for some others.
Tend a garden. Gardening outside is an activity that gives you a healthy dose of fresh air and vitamin D, and when you meet fellow gardeners, you “grow” your social circle too. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, start some spring bulbs in indoor containers.
Practice yoga. It’s a great way to stay flexible, strong and balanced. Yoga with Adriene is a popular YouTube channel that offers a free and friendly introduction to yoga. Or sign up for a class in your community for more of a challenge.
Volunteer. Your time and talents are valuable. Give back to your community by helping those who need you. AmeriCorps Seniors is a national volunteer network for those ages 55+, with opportunities such as tutoring, assisting the elderly, and disaster relief.
Join a club. What interests you? Fitness? Crafts? Music? Movies? Dining out? You can bet there’s a group of people who share your passion. Check local libraries or go online to find them.
Focus on fitness. If you resolved to start working out and losing weight in the New Year, maybe the motivation of a group fitness class or a personal trainer will help you stick to it.
Hit the road. Travel gets you out of your comfort zone and into new adventures. For single senior women, Women Traveling Together® makes it possible to achieve travel dreams.
Sew a quilt. Quilting is an art form that’s been around for generations. Look for a simple handmade pattern online or purchase a quilting kit from a craft store.
Create a scrapbook. Sort through old photos, ticket stubs, greeting cards, and other paper memories, and put together a record of a special time in your life.
Pick up a paintbrush. Painting with watercolors, oil paints, or acrylics is a colorful way to let your creative juices flow. Visit your local craft store for supplies and inspiration.
Make personal greeting cards. Handmade cards are more likely to be kept and cherished than ones from a store, and they are more meaningful when they contain a personal message written by you.
Play a board game. Put the checkers away and gather your friends to play popular board games. If you want to play something different, consider a round of fast-paced Mexican Train Dominoes, a mystery game like Deception, or a strategy game like Cathedral.
Put together a jigsaw puzzle. Give yourself a mental workout with a jigsaw puzzle. You’ll sharpen your problem-solving skills, power of observation, and attention span.
Play chess. If you know the game, grab a chessboard and find a worthy opponent. If you don’t know how to play, find someone who does and ask them to teach you.
Build your family tree. The practice of genealogy is even easier these days with free online resources like Ancestry.com , Family Search.org, and the Ellis Island Family History Center.
Get on stage. Open mic nights at local clubs and venues allow you to share poetry or stories, polish your comedy skills, or perform music.
Try modeling. Senior models are increasingly in demand as baby boomers want to see someone they can relate to. Contact your local talent agency to audition for work in videos, ads, and radio.
Sharpen your skills. Sign up for a series of online tutorials to brush up on math, grammar, business, and more. Khan Academy and Udemy.com offer thousands of classes.
Become an instructor. Sites like Udemy.com allow you to curate content and teach it online.
Join a book club. Book club discussions are a great way to deepen your appreciation of reading, discover new authors, and enjoy the friendship and viewpoints of other book lovers.
Take a hike. Hiking comes with fresh air and views of nature, and if you hike with a friend, you add healthy socializing to its benefits.
Pick up pickleball. There’s a reason this badminton/table tennis/tennis hybrid is popular with seniors. It’s fun, fast, and easy to learn.
Go birdwatching. Birdwatching is an activity that exercises your reflexes as you spot and identify birds in the wild. And you can do it by yourself or with a group.
Knit. Interesting patterns, modern yarns, and artistic inspiration have expanded knitting’s appeal for women — and men. Look for #menwhoknit on Facebook.
Become a Citizen Scientist. A unique hobby idea is to become a Citizen Scientist. The Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Catalog lists projects that need volunteer help, such as monitoring air quality, nature observation or trapping insects.
Paddleboard. Anywhere you can kayak or canoe, you can also paddleboard. You’ll burn calories and exercise your core. Grab a paddle and a board, and the rest will come naturally.
Write it down. Writing is a popular hobby idea for seniors, who often begin with their memoirs and then jump into other genres of writing. Consider writing short stories, a poem, or a rap for a special occasion.
Ride a bicycle. Cycling is easier on the knees and hips than running or jogging, and you’ll feel like a kid again with the breeze in your hair and the freedom to go where you please.
Learn to meditate. Turning your attention inward teaches you to quiet your mental chatter and heighten mindfulness. Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics offers free videos and guided sessions.
Unfortunately, aging adults with physical or mental health conditions may be unable to adopt many of these hobbies without some assistance. If you know a senior who lives alone or has health issues in West Pasco and Pinellas Counties and would benefit from in-home care services like companionship, homemaking, and more, Home Helpers is available 24/7/365.
I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs, create a personalized care plan, and match the perfect compassionate caregiver to make life easier.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providersand to have receivedthese awards in 2024: Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, as well as being named a Caring.com 2023 Caring Super Star.
We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539
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