Hobbies for Seniors to Try
You’re never too old to start a new hobby and never too old to learn something new. Approach this new year with an open mind and consider expanding your horizon with a newfound love for music, yoga, gardening, or journaling.
Music
Research shows that listening to music can improve a person’s cognitive skills, such as working and recognition memory. Many people also find listening to and playing music therapeutic, as it boosts their mood by stimulating positive feelings. Additional research finds music therapy to be helpful in reducing depression and anxiety as part of cancer treatment. There are plenty of benefits to bringing more music into your life.
Music is a broad hobby, but there are a lot of musical options that you can try. You can try something traditional like guitar or drums or something more unique like the sitar, a classical Indian string instrument. You may also consider joining a choir or another local singing group. It’s never too late to learn how to play an instrument.
If playing or performing is not speaking to your interests, spend more time listening to music. Have fun discovering new music and connecting with others over a love of music. Maybe you get a subscription to a music streaming service like Apple Music or Spotify. Or perhaps you visit a local record store and purchase a vinyl and record player to enjoy at home.
Yoga
Yoga is an exercise focused on building mobility, flexibility, and balance. Slow flow, restorative, and chair yoga are all great options for seniors that can help strengthen bones and muscles, reduce stress, and improve sleep through regular practice.
If you’re new to yoga, you can join an introductory yoga class or work with a certified yoga instructor to learn the basics of poses and movements. Participating in a yoga class is also a great way to meet new people and socialize. Once you’re comfortable with yoga, there are plenty of online courses and tutorials you can try in the comfort of your home.
Gardening
Having a garden at home is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Plus, it’s a fun way to ensure you have nutritious and fresh produce or herbs. Not only is gardening a wonderful hobby, but research also suggests gardening may have physical, psychological, and social health benefits.
While extensive outdoor gardens with endless fruits and vegetables can look beautiful, they’re not the only garden you can plant. You can grow flowers or bushes around your home if you have a smaller outdoor space. People who live in apartments or condos can have indoor spice gardens, or you can decorate your home with house plants.
Journaling
Many people develop the habit of journaling because it’s a fun and easy activity to get your thoughts out on paper. Regular journaling can help you relax, reduce anxiety and depression, encourage confidence, boost emotional intelligence, inspire creativity, and enhance critical thinking skills. Additional research also suggests journaling may lower blood pressure and improve mood.
Some people enjoy freestyle journaling or stream of consciousness, where you write about anything and everything that comes to mind without too much focus on grammar or structure. Other people enjoy journaling to a writing prompt. Whatever style of writing you choose, try to dedicate at least 10 minutes a day to writing.
Working with Visiting Angels
Starting and maintaining a new hobby can take work, but the team at Visiting Angels is happy to help. We can join you on a shopping trip to find the perfect journal, help you look for nearby music or yoga classes, or assist you in planting a small garden or watering your plants. Our professional caregivers can also provide a range of non-medical services, such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, personal grooming, and mobility assistance.
Our Daphne office serves seniors in Baldwin County and the greater Mobile area. If you’d like to learn more about our at-home care services or want to schedule a complimentary consultation, send us a message or call 251.517.9700.