For many older adults, one of the most exciting opportunities of retirement is adopting a new hobby. While some individuals might already have a list in mind, many others are still exploring and trying various activities to see which sticks best.
If you’re currently trying or hoping to try new activities, we hope this list of 7 fun retirement hobbies helps take you one step closer to igniting a meaningful passion. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
1. Visual Arts
Besides serving as a creative outlet, did you know that art also offers numerous therapeutic benefits? From reducing stress to treating depression and dementia, the mental rewards of creating art are sky high and miles deep.
Because there’s no one right way to approaching art, you can learn it through whatever means feels right to you, be it in a classroom, in a club, or on your own. With most materials you need available at your local crafts store or online marketplaces like Amazon, it’s an incredibly accessible hobby to start.
Here are just some of the many options you can try:
- Painting
- Sculpting
- Sketching
- Printing
- Pottery
- Photography
2. Gardening
Gardening is another popular hobby people like to pick up in retirement. The rewards of harvesting fruits and vegetables cultivated by your own hands makes the time spent watering, pruning, and weeding all worth it. Plus, getting to share the literal fruits of your labor with others is a sweet reward in and of itself.
If outdoor gardening is not for you, you can even start an indoor one. Consider growing orchids to add a dash of color to your house or herbs, like dill and mint, to always have fresh seasoning on hand. Get started with seeds or buy sprouts from local nurseries. (Make sure to ask for advice them while you’re there!)
3. Yoga or Tai Chi
As your body ages, it may become harder to do more strenuous exercises like running and swimming. Rather than think of this change as a sign to drop exercise altogether, think of it as an invitation to try lower impact forms of exercise like yoga or Tai Chi
Those who practice Tai Chi report an improvement in strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, and balance. Among Yoga practitioners, the results are equally beneficial, often including better flexibility, improvement in strength, and increased cardio and circulatory health. Contact your local community center to see if they offer any of these classes.
4. Writing
Many people in the U.S. dream of writing a book, but few actually achieve it, citing a lack of time as one of the leading reasons why they’ve never been able to finish. Though retiring doesn’t necessarily free you of all obligations—you probably still have emails to answer, for example—it does provide you with more time than you’ve had in the past.
Whether you dream of penning the next great American novel or starting a small, personal blog, now is the time to do it. Besides book writing, here are a few other types of writing you might be interested in exploring:
- Blogging
- Short stories
- Journaling
- Poetry
- Scriptwriting
5. Mentoring
Do you have a professional skill like accounting, personal finance, or carpentry? Life wisdom others can benefit from? Maybe you already have a hobby that you can teach others. Whatever the skill or knowledge you have, there is likely a younger person out there who’d appreciate your guidance.
Mentoring allows you to shepherd others who are walking through life stages you’ve already traversed, plus it opens the door to forming many enriching relationships. Some people even enjoy it for how purposeful it makes them feel, seeing that the knowledge they are imparting today will play an active role in shaping tomorrow.
6. Cooking
Cooking as a hobby is as practical as it is fun. There is a sense of pride in being able to transform raw ingredients into a mouthwatering dish that you can enjoy on your own or share with others. With millions of recipes available through cookbooks and the internet, you can easily expand your culinary horizon within a few meals.
For those who are more serious about improving their skills, consider signing up for classes at your senior center. If you’re a Mission Senior Living resident, reach out to our staff to see if we’re offering cooking lessons at your community.
7. Music
There’s the great misconception that if you didn’t learn an instrument in your childhood, you can never pick it up again as an adult. Though it is easier to learn music at 8 than at 65, it is not impossible. The key is consistency and dedication.
A person who practices an hour a day for 5 days a week will progress much farther than a person who practices on and off for a few hours throughout a month. Getting lessons can also accelerate your learning, although it is possible to pick up an instrument through online tutorials or a book alone.
One of the greatest joys in life is getting to share life with others. As a senior living facility, we structure our environments to help you maintain independence and privacy while enjoying the many mental and emotional benefits of being in community.
Not only do we take a keen interest in helping residents foster their interests, but we also play an active role in providing the supplies, lessons, and space that makes it possible to pursue what is meaningful to them. Call (775) 468-6114 or contact us online to see if Mission Senior Living is the right choice for you.
