Embrace the New Year with Exciting Hobbies: Senior Edition

December 29, 2023

As we enter 2024, it’s the perfect time for seniors to explore new hobbies. Hobbies are a source of enjoyment and fulfillment and benefit your physical, mental, and social health. In this blog post, we’ll explore a variety of hobbies to try this new year.

Walking:

No matter the distance/speed, walking has many benefits. You can enjoy walking around the neighborhood, walking a pet, walking on a treadmill, or walking at a park. Being outdoors is also a great source of Vitamin D and can increase your mental well-being.

Benefits of walking:

Strengthen your muscles and bones
Maintaining weight
Lowering risks of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes
Reduces blood pressure
Improves balance and coordination
Increases mood and energy levels

Podcasts:

Podcasts are a new way to learn new things and stay up to date with the times. You can play a podcast while you walking or hanging around the house. They’re an easy source of entertainment and you can effortlessly listen to them throughout the day.

Cooking:

Explore new recipes and try out cooking/ baking fun treats to share with friends and family. You can incorporate nutritious ingredients and alter the recipe to your liking. Once you’ve made a dish you can invite friends or family over to enjoy. Remember to write down your recipes so you can share them with others!

Gardening:

Gardening requires continuous care and it keeps seniors involved in maintaining their gardens. Gardening not only promotes physical activity but also improves mental health. It provides them with a sense of purpose and gratification seeing their gardens thrive.

Yoga:

Yoga comes in many different forms: chair, low-impact, restorative, yin, etc. You can join a nearby yoga studio, join online classes, or follow along with YouTube videos.

Benefits of Yoga:

Decreases stress
Improves balance
Boost confidence
Improves sleep
Alleviates pain
Lowers blood pressure

Join a club:

There are many clubs seniors can join to get involved and make new friends such as senior centers, book clubs, knitting clubs, Facebook groups, library clubs, etc.

Sewing/ Knitting:

Sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting are easy remedies for arthritis and Alzheimer's. This keeps your hands busy and keeps your mind and body relaxed. If you are new or need a refresh there are many local places you can go for one-on-one help or classes for beginners.

Scrapbooking:

Scrapbooking is a great gift idea or a way to organize your pictures. You can get creative or keep it simple. Local craft stores such as Michaels, JOANN Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, and Amazon have a bunch of supplies to customize your scrapbook. The main tools you need are pictures, a book, tape or adhesive, pens to write and label, and other accessories if you choose.

Handmade cards:

Another great gift idea is personalized cards. Friends and family will appreciate your handmade cards and it’s a fun way to get creative. You can find ideas online or on Pinterest. If this is a hobby you want to take to the next step you could also sell them! People love personalized gifts but may not have the time to make them, so this is the perfect opportunity.

Puzzles:

Puzzles can improve memory, exercise the brain, delay symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's, relieve anxiety, and so much more. There are many different types of puzzles and it’s an engaging activity to do with friends, family, or alone.

Chess:

Along with puzzles chess is another activity that has many benefits such as improving cognitive functions, improving concentration, developing problem-solving skills, improving memory, etc. Chess is an inexpensive game that you probably have lying around the house.

Meditate:

Meditation is an easy technique you can use at home to reduce stress and chronic pain, improve mental health, and strengthen your cognitive skills. YouTube has tutorials for meditation at home.

As we embark on a new year, we invite all seniors to take the opportunity to enhance their lives with exciting hobbies. These activities not only bring joy but also offer many health benefits. Whether you choose to explore the outdoors or get creative with cooking or crafting, the possibilities are endless. Whatever path you choose, remember that each hobby is a step towards a fulfilling 2024. Embrace the new year and may your journey into these hobbies be as rewarding as the experiences they offer.