People of all ages can benefit from engaging in a hobby, both mentally and physically. Hobbies are great for people of any age, but they can be especially helpful for retirees/seniors who have a lot of free time on their hands. Reading, painting, writing, and gardening are just a few examples of the many enjoyable activities that can be classified as hobbies. Both picking up a new hobby and picking back up an old one can be great ways to expand knowledge and develop abilities. 

Hobbies take them out of their everyday experiences and give them a chance to do something they love and are passionate about. Engaging in a hobby can be a mental escape, help them hone a skill, or just provide an opportunity to socialize with others. Hobbies are a great way to disconnect from boredom and break away from the monotony of daily schedules. Having a hobby has been shown to have multiple benefits, despite the fact that it may seem daunting to add YET ANOTHER THING to their to-do list. Here are seven reasons why building hobbies is important for the elderly.

1. Cure Boredom
Our parents have devoted their entire lives to us, to provide us with the lives we have. They neglect their entire dreams and hobbies in doing so. But, at this stage of life, when they no longer have to strive towards working hard, their lives can become boring. Having something to rekindle their old, forgotten hobbies could be the key to getting them out of their boredom.

2. Explore Hidden Talent
At SeniorBees, we encourage our members to try new things from writing to singing, dancing, painting, gardening, and even performing on stage. We believe that it is very important for them to choose what they wish to indulge in because I f they follow their passions, they’ll be much more committed to their hobbies and will also find time to participate in them regularly. It doesn’t matter what their hobby is, so long as they look forward to engaging in it; we think it will bring them joy. Moreover, they improve their physical and mental well-being by giving themselves time to do the things they enjoy.  Yoga, for instance, can be used in conjunction with medication to help you unwind, maintain mobility, and stretch out unused muscles. They might also find fellow seniors with similar interests and form a group. It’s likely that after a few classes, they’ll discover that they have an unexplored talent that’s been hidden all these years.

3. Great Stressbuster
Finding time for the things that make you happy has been shown to be beneficial to your mental health. Giving seniors quality time to engage in hobbies and interests they value can improve their outlook in other areas of life as well. They become more empathetic and better able to solve problems creatively, and their relationships with their families improve as a result. 

Some seniors may worry that adding a hobby to their schedule will only add more stress to their lives, but research shows the opposite is true. They could adopt a healthier, more peaceful lifestyle if they found a great way to deal with their stress. When you have health problems or live far from loved ones, it can be helpful to have a hobby to focus on as a way to relax and forget about the stresses of daily life. For example, to cope with negative feelings like grief or illness, taking an art class can be a helpful outlet. Stress can leave you feeling down and anxious, but turning to art as a form of solace can help you feel like you’re back in control of your life.

4. Stay Active
It’s important for people of all ages to challenge themselves, whether that means picking up a more strenuous hobby or simply trying new things. Why not make them try out some art or sports classes like fishing, painting, or pottery making? However, if those aren’t their cup of tea, they can always try something more intellectually taxing. Classic examples include puzzles like crosswords and, for the mathematically minded, sudoku.

Walking, bicycling, and yoga are just some of the many physical activities that, when practiced regularly over time, can not only help you live longer but also improve your quality of life. Worried that your parents won’t be able to handle the physical demands of your new hobby? Well, remember that almost any physical activity can be adjusted to suit participants of varying levels of experience and physical ability. Hence, don’t be afraid to encourage them to try out new activities like tennis, badminton, and golf.

5. Make New Friends.
Discovering others who share your passions for a particular activity can only enhance your experience while you are indulging in something you like. Participating in team sports or volunteering for an organization close to your heart can help you develop better interpersonal skills and strengthen bonds with those around you, according to studies. Many elderly people experience periods of isolation throughout their lives. Although temporarily experiencing this emotion is not harmful, doing so for extended periods of time is unwise and may result in diminished physical, mental, and cognitive well-being. It’s also connected to issues like being overweight, hypertensive and having high cholesterol. With our help, your parents will never be lonely again. Seniors benefit socially, emotionally, and intellectually from participating in shared hobbies with peers who share similar interests.

6. Enhanced Brain Functioning
Particularly for the elderly, hobbies can be crucial for maintaining healthy brain function. Engaging in creative activities can be a great way to keep your mind sharp and your brain healthy as you get older. Increased brain activity and the formation of new connections are the results of mental exertion. Studies have shown that the same endorphin rush that you get from working out your body also occurs when you engage in mentally stimulating activities. It’s a great way to prolong your youthful vitality and vigor and enhance your cognitive performance. People with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment may benefit greatly from brain stimulation, which has the added benefit of potentially increasing both the duration and quality of their lives. Participating in a hobby can help seniors realize there is always more to learn. Participating in a hobby can be a great way for seniors to unwind and keep their minds active. Engaging in a hobby gives them the opportunity to reap the rewards of their efforts. The act of giving someone a quilt they made themselves or of helping their team win a tournament can be very satisfying. One other option is to create a beautiful portrait of a loved one. Hobbies help them think more creatively and optimistically.

7. Reduced Anxiety
Anxiety is common among the elderly because of worries. Family and friends can benefit from taking up a hobby to divert their attention from problems they feel they have little power to solve. Your loved one will soon feel at ease once they find their “hobby groove.” As an added bonus, interacting with others can help you manage your anxiety. Your loved one may feel more comfortable opening up to others and sharing their thoughts and feelings if they have a hobby they enjoy doing. To paraphrase an old adage, “A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away.”

With SeniorBees let your parents fall in love with their desires and build a hobby for themselves.

If your parents are interested in devoting some time and energy to a hobby but do not yet have one, consider the things they enjoy, things that interest them, and perhaps things they would like to improve upon. However, if it gets too overwhelming for you or your parents, we at Seniorbees are more than happy to assist and guide them. You can reach out to us for any problem and always remember that “When life slows you down….hobbies boost you up!”.