Written by Juanita Fox
Your well-deserved retirement years can be among the most rewarding parts of your life. Research shows retirement improves various aspects of our well-being, including physical health, mental health and overall satisfaction. You may find more enjoyment in retirement because it offers you more freedom to pursue the hobbies you are most passionate about, without any professional obligations limiting your free time.
While aging brings its share of challenges, the leisure time that comes with retirement gives your imagination room to soar. The secret is to fill those newfound hours with a healthy balance of activity. An active lifestyle can lead to various well-being improvements for retired people, including better cognition and mental health, longer lifespans, disease prevention and more. So, what do retirees do all day?
Whether you’re currently retired or see retirement on the horizon, you can start making a list of hobbies that satisfy your interests. Of course, the things you can and want to do change over time, so it may be time to reevaluate your interests or investigate the best new hobbies for seniors.
What is a good hobby for retirement? There’s plenty to do during this phase of your life, especially when you plan for it. In this article, we’ll look at seven of the best hobbies for retirees.
1. Genealogy
Learning about your ancestors can be awe-inspiring, especially for older people who have raised families. Genealogy is an excellent hobby for retirees. For one, the extensive research it entails is an opportunity to stretch your brain and keep you mentally sharp. But other benefits to this hobby can impact you more profoundly.
In some cases, genealogy can uncover new things about your family you never expected to learn. Some retirees even connect with long-lost relatives and form new bonds. Becoming a family historian is a rewarding way to embrace your family’s past, present and future, and modern internet tools make it more possible than ever.
2. Photography
By the time you’re ready to retire, you might think you’ve seen it all. But one hobby can help you discover new sights while experiencing familiar ones through a lens — photography.
What do retirees do for fun? Photography is one fantastic pastime to explore. It’s easy to get into — all you need is a digital camera, which you likely already have on your cellphone. If not, it’s not challenging to find a quality camera at a reasonable price these days. Use your camera to take pictures of your everyday surroundings or travels to a beautiful destination. Photography can be an enjoyable art form for beginners, and it becomes even more rewarding as you spend more time doing it.
3. Learn a New Language
Speaking is one of the best ways to exercise our brains. Now, amplify the exercise by speaking in a new language. It takes a lot of mental energy to learn a brand-new set of words, and the challenge is excellent for your cognitive abilities. Plus, the satisfaction of putting together complete sentences in a new language can significantly boost your confidence and mental health.
Studies show foreign language training improves positive feelings and well-being reports from seniors, regardless of the progress made. Learning a new language is an opportunity to see tangible benefits in a fail-forward activity that will reward you even when you make mistakes.
4. Volunteering
You may be stepping away from your professional career, but there are still plenty of ways to make a difference in your community in retirement. Volunteering is a top activity for retirees. Volunteers enjoy working toward a goal on a schedule while finding an opportunity to socialize. What’s more, volunteering can improve memory in seniors who do so at least once a month.
Some of the best places for retirees to volunteer include churches, food pantries, polling locations and animal rescues. Find an organization you feel passionate about and donate your time and talents to discover a new sense of purpose that can keep you focused and motivated through retirement.
5. Go Back to School
Having more free time means you have plenty of opportunities to learn. Going back to school later in life can be a rewarding experience, making it one of the best hobbies for retired men and women alike.
It’s never too late to learn new skills, expand your understanding of the world and participate in a lively academic setting. Plenty of universities will accept retirees, so register for some classes to exercise your thinking muscles and meet new people. What’s more, education becomes more accessible all the time. You can take college courses from the comfort of your home by registering for an online program.
6. Delve Into Faith
Whether spirituality is something you’ve always fostered or you’re interested in deepening your faith later in life, retirement can be an excellent opportunity to engage with religion. Retirees have time to examine various aspects of their spirituality and their relationship with a higher power. Additionally, retirees can see significant benefits from religion’s community aspect, which allows you to find purpose and support while providing the same to others.
7. Fitness
Following a fitness routine is one of the best hobbies to learn in retirement if your goal is to maintain your mobility and independence. It’s more than possible to stay in top shape well into your 60s and 70s, which may combat the bone and muscle loss that often occurs with age. Physical activity helps retirees feel confident while lowering the risk of disease and injury as they get older.
There are plenty of opportunities to stay active at your retirement community or take fitness courses at a local gym. Professional instructors understand how to host safe, engaging group classes for older adults. Staying physically active can be a lot of fun and help you meet new people while improving your health.
Retirement can be an exciting, rewarding phase of your life. Exploring unique hobbies can ensure you enjoy every second of your newfound free time. Whether you decide to become a family historian, document the sights you see as a photographer or learn a new way to tell your family you love them, there are plenty of hobbies to try during retirement.
Garden Spot Village is a retirement community in New Holland, PA, with a mission to enrich older adults’ lives. We encourage our residents to find their next great passion and provide them with every opportunity to do so. Our community is bustling with active residents and experts in various hobbies, all ready to share something new with their neighbors. To learn more about our recreational opportunities and how to join our community, contact Garden Spot Village today!