Turning over a new leaf in the new year can mean different things for different people. For you, it may be a new commitment to healthy eating or dedication to self-care and meditation. Or you may have a desire to better yourself in the new year but no specific goals or resolutions in mind.
If you’re looking for inspiration, you’re in luck! January is National Hobby Month, so there’s no better time to explore the wide range of engaging hobbies for seniors. You may also be surprised to learn that taking up a hobby isn’t just a way to pass the time, but it’s also a way to enhance your quality of life.
How Hobbies Promote Wellness in Older Adults
Beyond personal gratification, nurturing a new hobby — or revisiting an old one — may bring greater rewards than you expect. By definition, a hobby is an activity you do for pleasure in your free time. To be sure, the simple satisfaction of doing something you enjoy is a reward in its own right, but investing your time in a hobby can actually be good for your health.
- Stress: Focusing your mental energy on a hobby gives you a reprieve from everyday stress and a rejuvenating break from your daily responsibilities.
- Mental Health: The connection between hobbies and happiness may seem obvious but having a regular activity that you look forward to can help shift your mood on a broader scale and improve your overall life satisfaction.
- Cognitive Function: It may feel like play, but having a hobby is actually putting your brain to work. Whether you’re mastering a new skill, stimulating your creativity or tackling intellectual challenges, hobbies help you flex a muscle that keeps you sharp.
- Confidence: Hobbies allow you to focus on what you can achieve and celebrate your accomplishments when you complete a hobby task.
- Purpose: Having a sense of purpose is important as you age. A hobby can add meaning and structure to your daily life.
- Socialization: Many hobbies are social activities, but even those that are typically solo endeavors can often be enjoyed in others’ company. Organizations and clubs like a local remote control airplane club or quilters’ guild bring together people with similar interests.
What are Some Senior-Friendly Hobbies to Consider?
Recognizing the many ways a hobby can benefit you, you may be eager to get started. The list of potential hobbies to explore is nearly endless.
Some examples of popular hobbies for seniors include sewing, quilting, crafting, woodworking, gardening and reading. Others embrace the idea of volunteering to help others in the community or focus on their physical health with low impact sports or fitness classes like tai chi or yoga.
Many seniors also embrace opportunities to participate in continuing education or lifelong learning programs. Some common choices include sharpening new skills like digital photography and computer literacy or learning to use technology to support an interest genealogy.
Finding a hobby can be a very personal journey of self-discovery. Narrowing down the right hobby for you might be easier if you reflect on questions such as:
- Are you more drawn to the idea of a hobby that encourages you to be active or that allows you to make the most of your leisure time?
- Do you want to pursue your hobby by yourself or in the company of others?
- Will you get more satisfaction from doing something yourself or sharing your skills or knowledge to teach others?
- Would you prefer a hobby that allows you to relax or that energizes you?
- Do you prefer to explore your hobby close to home or are you eager to venture out into the community?
Giving thought to your preferences will help you select a hobby (or a few potential hobbies) that align with your interests as well as your personality for a greater sense of fulfillment.
Find Hobbies and Senior Activities Nearby
When it comes to sampling and selecting hobbies that fit their personal wants and needs, residents of senior living communities have a bit of an advantage. That’s because many communities have a robust activities program that centers on hobbies and pastimes that older adults tend to appreciate.
One example is Riverside Senior Life, which offers independent living neighborhoods in Kankakee. The Oaks at Westwood provides an elevated residential experience with a variety of senior independent living apartment floor plans, while you’ll find two- and three-bedroom ranch homes at The Estates at Westwood.
Both neighborhoods encourage residents to take advantage of monthly calendars filled with scheduled activities that nurture older adults’ interests. What’s more, residents can take advantage of a collection of amenities and services that make it easy to pursue diverse hobbies, such as a well-stocked library, billiard room, wellness center and creative arts studio. Those with a green thumb can reserve an individual gardening bed and you’ll find pet lovers at the dog park each day.
Having all of these opportunities right out their front door gives residents plenty of hobbies to choose from without ever leaving the community, but if they’re intrigued by senior activities nearby, scheduled off-site transportation makes it simple to take hobby exploration even further.
What’s more, the community’s activities director is available to help find senior activities nearby. The Kankakee area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with the Kankakee River offering plenty of opportunity for sport and leisure. Numerous parks nearby are ideal for trail walking and picnics, and there’s even a bowling center for those who enjoy some 10-pin action.
Get in touch to learn more about how Riverside Senior Life equips residents with all of the resources they need to explore personal interests, embrace their hobbies and build an inspiring and rewarding lifestyle.