Selecting a Hobby That Suits You
Reaching your golden years doesn’t mean settling for long days of doing nothing. It’s your time to fill your hours the way that you prefer. With the sheer number of possibilities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. How do you know which hobbies might be the best fit for you? Everdays suggests asking yourself questions to narrow the field:
- Do I enjoy being active?
- Would I like to engage with other people?
- Do I prefer staying home?
- How do I feel about working with my hands?
- Do I consider myself a creative person?
- Am I interested in learning new things?
- How much of a challenge am I willing to take on?
- What is my budget?
When you have a sense of what you’re looking for in a hobby, it’s time to explore some easy hobbies for seniors. Even a quick look will reveal quite a few choices.
Exploring Easy Hobbies for Seniors
Gardening
Whether you have a green thumb or have always longed to try your hand at coaxing things to grow, gardening is a fascinating hobby. If you want to get your hands dirty, you can take it outside and put in flowers or vegetables. What if you don’t have a yard? Bring your garden indoors with decorative potted plants. Herbs for the kitchen are also a great choice for indoor gardeners.
Gaming and Puzzles
The news is constantly full of stories advising seniors to stay mentally active to fend off cognitive decline. Games and puzzles are a natural solution. You can play cards, board games, or even computer games. Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, brain teasers, and other puzzles are also fun options.
Dancing
What type of music moves you? What style of movement do you long to learn? Whether you simply turn on your favorite tunes and freestyle it for a while each day or opt to take lessons to master a specific kind of dancing, learning to dance is a diversion that moves more than your feet.
Cooking
If you want a productive hobby, head to the kitchen. You’re sure to enjoy the results of this new diversion. You could focus on cooking or baking. You might choose a particular style like vegetarian or gluten-free dining. You might decide to master recipes that tie into your family heritage. Or, you could simply try your hand at whatever recipes catch your eye. You could experiment at your own speed with the help of cookbooks, cooking shows, or online videos. Or, you may decide to team up with friends or take a cooking class. Whatever your approach, a cooking hobby is a delicious way to pass the time.
Practicing Tai Chi
Often called moving meditation, tai chi is an ancient Chinese practice that involves purposeful breathing and flowing movements. Regular practice may benefit your cardiovascular health and bone density and lead to improvements in mobility, balance, and strength.
Reading
A good book is easy to pick up. Figuring out how to put it down before you’ve finished it can be much harder. While reading is generally considered a solo activity, bookworms have options if they decide they want to be more social. They can join book clubs, attend lectures, or use their hobby as a bridge to research other topics and activities.
Taking Pictures
With digital cameras, there’s no worry about wasting a shot. Plus, you can see the results immediately. Whether you’re using a smartphone or a digital camera, you can learn to take some great shots. With practice and exploration, you can discover how to get even better ones. If you choose, you can also dive into how to use editing software to improve your pictures. Seeing through a photographer’s lens can change how you see the world around you.
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A hobby doesn’t have to be difficult to be rewarding. Spending time enjoying something simple and easy can be both satisfying and advantageous.
Are you planning to retire in Greenville, South Carolina? Be sure to check out The Gables on Pelham, a continuing care retirement community that welcomes seniors from all walks of life. We offer flexible and personalized care, including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. You’ll love our cozy accommodations, fun-filled events calendar, and welcoming community atmosphere. To learn more, please schedule a tour or give us a call at 864-713-1377.