Looking To Explore A New Hobby? Here Are Some Ideas Near You!

Participating in hobbies we’re passionate about adds joy and purpose to our daily lives. Some also support our mental and physical wellbeing. Hobbies allow us to reconnect with ourselves, providing an outlet for creativity, relaxation, and personal growth.

Cultivating Wellness Through Hobbies

Whether you love gardening, playing a musical instrument, or painting, we’ve compiled a list of different hobbies to consider, their benefits, and where you can get started in the SLO community.

1. Gardening

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as watching something flourish under your care. Gardening is an excellent hobby for seniors who enjoy spending time outdoors. It doesn’t matter if you have a green thumb or not. Weeding, planting seeds, fertilizing, and watering your plants all involve movement, and support your physical health. Gardening has also been shown to reduce stress and boost your mood.

Did you know the SLO Botanical Garden hosts regular events? Find beautiful inspiration or just enjoy a day trip surrounded by nature. Find more information here: Calendar of Events - SLO Botanical Garden (slobg.org).

2. Volunteering

Spending your time giving back to others creates a more profound sense of purpose. Studies have shown that community service can also reduce depression, stress, and feelings of loneliness.

Some good volunteering opportunities for older adults include:

Walking dogs or playing with cats at your local animal shelter
Serving meals at a soup kitchen
Donating your gently-used clothing or furniture to ‌Goodwill
Packing food at the SLO Food Bank
Participating in local park cleanups

3. Low-Impact Sports

You’re never too old to pick up a new favorite sport! Low-impact sports like swimming and golf can improve a senior’s mental and physical health. These sports help older adults maintain muscle mass, improve immunity, reduce symptoms of painful chronic conditions, build cardio strength, prevent bone loss, and improve sleep quality.

Are you looking for fun, low-impact sports in your area? Contact your local San Luis Obispo County senior center to see what programs they may offer.

4. Painting or Drawing

Creative endeavors nurture the mind and soul. Drawing and painting can also improve fine motor skills, problem-solving, and hand-eye coordination while reducing stress. Arts and crafts induce mindfulness, keeping you aware of the present moment.

Feeling anxious? Grab an easel and a paintbrush, and let your worries melt away as you work on your next masterpiece.

5. Learning for Life

Just because you’re long past your school days doesn’t mean you need to retire your backpack just yet! Actively learning something new can help maintain and even improve seniors' brain health. Today, technology makes it easy for seniors to learn something new in the comfort of their own homes. Also, there are monthly in-person classes offered at local libraries or senior centers. For example, if technology troubles you, visit the SLO Library for their monthly E-Device class.

Enjoy Your Favorite Hobbies with Visiting Angels SLO

Visiting Angels of San Luis Obispo, CA provides personalized and award-winning companion care services to seniors throughout the county. Our friendly caregivers can participate in your favorite pastimes with you, including walks, creating or viewing artwork, playing board games, and cooking.

Every one of our care plans are tailored to your needs and can be adjusted as needs evolve. Our caregivers can also assist you with medication reminders, transportation, personal grooming, light housekeeping, and meal planning and preparation.