Transitioning into your Golden Years can be an excellent opportunity for you to try new experiences. From traveling to learning a new language, the possibilities are endless. Even starting a new hobby can be a great way to enjoy your time in simple ways. Here are five fun hobbies you can start as a senior.
- Gardening
Gardening is a great hobby for a variety of reasons. First, it’s fun! Taking care of plants and seeing them come alive is a great feeling. There’s a sense of accomplishment and pride when you see all your hard work pay off.
Gardening can also help you eat healthier. Growing your own produce can be a great way to get a few more fruits and vegetables in your diet, which is beneficial for aging bodies and minds. You can rest easy knowing the produce you consume is grown organically in a positive environment. Not only this but growing your own food can help you save money and time at the grocery store.
Lastly, gardening can help you stay active, which is especially important for older adults. It can be easy to move around less and less as you age, but gardening can help you stay on your feet.
- Hiking
Like gardening, hiking is a valuable hobby for a few different reasons. It’s a great way to stay moving and see new sights. You don’t need to overdo it either. Choose easy trails you can enjoy that won’t tire you out too quickly if you’re just starting out.
Hiking is also a good opportunity to socialize with others. You can invite friends and family along to join you for some impactful quality time. If you enjoy meeting new people, hiking can be a great way to do so. There are countless hiking groups to be found online to get connected. Facebook can be a great tool to find local groups and gatherings.
Additionally, hiking can improve your mental health. A 2015 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science revealed going on a 90-minute walk through nature can help reduce the risk of mental illness. So, hiking not only helps you stay active, but it also can help your mind stay healthy too.
- Gaming
You may be surprised that many older adults play video games as a hobby. A 2019 survey conducted by the AARP found there’re about 50.6 million gamers over the age of 50 who enjoy playing games.
Video games can keep your mind sharp by potentially improving memory and cognitive skills. Gaming can also help improve hand-eye coordination.
- Cooking
Taking on cooking as a new hobby can be a lot of fun. There are so many new recipes to try! You can also experiment on your own to see what you can create!
Cooking can also help you to stay social. Food is almost always a sure-fire way to get people to come over and have fun. Feel free to invite your kids or grandkids over to make a meal together and enjoy each other’s company.
- Volunteering
Volunteering can be a great hobby as an older adult. Giving back to your community can help you feel inspired and purposeful. Helping others can also improve your emotional health by helping you feel accomplished. Not only that, but it can help you socialize and meet new people from your area, which can cultivate a sense of community in your life.
Depending on the volunteer work you do, you may be able to stay physically active as well. If you’re moving boxes or packaging food, you can help your body stay moving.
Final Thoughts
Your retirement years can be a fantastic opportunity for you to engage in new activities. There are a lot of options out there, so make sure to pick something you will enjoy. Keep your mind open, and don’t be afraid to try something new!
