Hobbies that Add Years to Life and Life to Years
Collaborative Post
If you’re approaching retirement, then you might be wondering what you’re going to end up doing with all the new-found free time you might have to contend with.
Finding the right hobby might have two benefits. Firstly, you’ll enjoy a much-improved quality of life. Secondly, and perhaps more surprisingly, you might actually be able to extend your lifespan. Both physical stimulation and mental problem-solving can help fend off many of the diseases and other problems that afflict us later in life.
Gardening
Among the more popular hobbies for older people is gardening. This is a hobby that will get you out in the sun, surrounded by green things – and both of these things confer health benefits. It’s also quite physical labour, which will ensure that you’re keeping fit. You don’t need much to get started; a few flower bulbs and some suitably fertile soil will help you get the ball rolling.
Genealogy
As we get older, it’s only natural to be curious about where you’ve come from, and where the roots of your ancestry really lead to. You’ll get the sense that you’re participating in a larger relay race – which, if you’re passing the baton on to children and grandchildren, can provide some heart-warming perspective. It’s never been easier to start researching: there are numerous online services that will help you pave the way. Speak to older relatives, ask to see any certificates and keep sharing the information with others. Make sure that you keep track of any changes to the spelling of your surname.
Reading and Writing
Reading is a pursuit that you can pick up at any time. It’ll provide you access to all of humanity’s knowledge and wisdom, and it’ll keep you entertained, too. Best of all, perhaps, is that a physical book will provide you with a distraction from all of the screens that might have infiltrated your home over the years!
You might even consider writing that novel you’ve been planning for years, but never found the time to seriously get started with. Write about the subjects that interest you, and that you have first-hand experience of.
Arts and Crafts
The right artistic pursuit will help you to get into the ‘zone’. Whether it’s pastels, inks, or watercolours, you can drive down your levels of anxiety and build up a rewarding skill. Of course, you might also pursue a craft like pottery, woodworking, or knitting, which will result in a series of products that you can actually make use of during the coming years.
Social Hobbies
Loneliness is a problem that affects many retirees. By joining the right group, or volunteering at a school, church, or community centre, you can mix with like-minded people, and enrich your community at the same time.
Photo by Centre for Ageing Better
