Great Ideas for Hobbies After Retirement

Retirement Hobbies: Ways to Make Senior Living More Meaningful and Fun

The thought of senior living can bring about visions of monotony and boredom, especially if you or your loved one enjoyed a busy and active pre-retirement lifestyle.

Still retirement can be filled with more than your typical bingo Mondays and canasta Thursdays – though we don’t mind adding these fun pastimes to the mix.

Senior living can usher in time for fun activities that add a newfound meaning to retired life.

Keep reading for a complete guide to retirement hobbies for seniors and how to get the most fulfillment out of a productive senior housing community.

Why Are Retirement Hobbies Important for Seniors?

The happiest retirees are the busiest retirees.

That doesn’t mean you need to work 24-7 or perform menial tasks all day.

Sources report that the happiest retirees have three to four core hobbies, while the self-reported unhappy retirees have less than two.

Health Benefits of Retirement Hobbies

Staying busy can add to the happiness and quality of life, but did you know that hobbies are key to the mental and physical health of a retiree?

Keep reading to learn exactly how hobbies can make a tangible impact.

Mental Health Benefits

Having fun-filled hobbies can be a source for your emotional and mental well-being.

Hobbies can help to keep your mental stamina sharp by: 

• Fostering creativity 
• Developing new skills; or 
• Sharpening old skills. 

Studies show that boredom and a lack of cognitive stimulation can contribute to depression, anxiety, and even the highest rate of suicide among senior men.

Physical Health Benefits

Hobbies don’t just provide mental and emotional benefits, there can be many physical health benefits as well.

Having hobbies can ward off feelings of boredom and loneliness that have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

An article citing research on older adults who practice craft hobbies specifically noted culturally meaningful benefits and positively impacting cognitive performance and neural efficiency.

Keeping active with hobbies can do more than improve your physical health. 

Hobbies can play a vital role in life satisfaction and successful aging.

Other Benefits of Retirement Hobbies

The advancement of technology and the internet doesn’t just connect more people, it can even make you a little extra cash to wager on your next canasta night.

Websites dedicated to individuals who sell their crafts and wares make it easy to turn your hobby into a small business.

Online payment and pick-up delivery services allow you to keep it local and contact-less, or if you’re up for shipping — the world is at your doorstep.

Speaking of connecting people, common hobbies also pave the way to make new friends. 

Group classes open the door to meeting new people and what better way to connect than over a shared interest.

What Are Good Retirement Hobbies?

The best retirement hobbies you’ll find are personal and answers the question: 

What are you passionate about?

If you need a little inspiration to get your wheels spinning, keep reading for a list of the three most popular retirement hobbies for women and men.

3 Most Popular Retirement Hobbies for Women

These days retired women are finding more time to indulge in some long-neglected pastimes or develop new interests. 

Three of the most popular retirement hobbies for women include:

1. Continued education by subject or complete programs online.
2. Crafting all sorts of creations with techniques like quilting, weaving, or knitting.
3. Walking/hiking exploring the locale or taking city tours.

Honorable mention of popular hobbies among retired women includes yoga and meditation retreats and volunteerism.

3 Most Popular Retirement Hobbies for Men

Retired men are rounding out their lifestyles with a rich array of hobbies.

Three of the most popular retirement hobbies for men include:

1. Cycling/golfing or any active sport to get the blood pumping. 
2. Fishing continues to be a popular pastime of peace and patience. 
3. Carpentry/woodworking satisfies the DIYer’s cravings to create.

Honorable mention of popular hobbies among retired men includes food and wine adventures and learning an instrument.

Retirement Hobbies on a Budget

Some top hobbies for retirees involve more than just an investment of time.

Access to costly equipment or membership can make it difficult to engage in some of the activities you love.

But there are many retirement activities that you can do on a budget.

Below we’ve cultivated a list of low-cost and no-cost retirement hobbies that you or your loved one can jump into right away.

Low-Cost Retirement Hobbies

• Gardening
• Book clubs
• Bicycling
• Playing an instrument
• Teaching English as a second language online
• Podcasting
• Cooking/baking

Free Retirement Hobbies

• Birding
• Walking/hiking
• Volunteering
• Writing
• Singing
• Painting/drawing

Retirement Hobbies in Senior Housing Communities

If you’re looking for an active senior living residence for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to find the right community that offers a range of activities or makes space for the activities that are best suited for you or your loved one.

The right activities will not only provide mental and physical stimulation, but a place to forge new friendships that build a strong and healthy emotional well-being.

So how do you know which activities are right for your loved one?

It’s best not to assume or choose for them.

Simply ask your loved one to ask your loved one what hobbies they would enjoy most if the options were limitless.

You may find out that they’ve always had an interest in cooking, but didn’t have the time.

Or you may find that while they enjoyed making a nurturing meal for the family, they don’t enjoy cooking in general.

Once you’re equipped with the direct input, it becomes much easier to choose a facility that offers activities your loved one will get the most out of.

If you’re looking for some ideas to get the conversation started, some common activities offered in senior housing communities include:

• Book clubs
• Gardening groups
• Cooking and baking classes
• Pet, music, and art therapy
• Exercise classes
• Foreign language classes
• Bingo nights
• Computer skills classes
• Shopping trips
• Knitting circles
• Film festivals or movie nights
• Cultural education programs around holidays

These and many more activities can be found at senior living communities and it’s imperative to look for activities that will support and engage your loved one. 

At Senior Services of America, it is our goal to help our residents at our communities stay engaged in life mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Residents at Senior Services of America communities are welcome to explore the retirement hobbiesthat fit their individual enthusiasm and lifestyle. 

Our seniors are encouraged to remain as active and independent as possible, allowing them to continue living meaningful and purposeful lives on their own terms.

How Do Senior Living Communities Help Residents Continue With Their Hobbies as They Age?

Senior living communities that help residents continue with their hobbies as they age should aim to develop activities that address all aspects of health and wellness.

Many facets contribute to a happy retired life.  

Besides activities that stimulate the common aspects of wellness like …

• Physical
• Mental
• Emotional

… health, overall well-being requires other vital perspectives like …

• Social
• Spiritual
• Intellectual
• Purposeful

… areas of fulfillment are taken into consideration.

Looking for Senior Living That Will Create a Space for Your Retirement Hobbies and More? 

At our communities, we look at each of our seniors holistically. 

Each person not only comes with their family, but brings along skills, interests, and desires they’d still like to fulfill.

Senior Services of America communities strive to provide experiences that enrich the lives of the residents we serve and offer a continued active lifestyle with a feeling of purpose and belonging.

Our communities provide a full range of desirable senior living options to accommodate many lifestyles. 

Those searching for … 

• Independent living
• Assisted living
• Memory care; or 
• Respite care 

… will find excellent options that enable residents to pursue personal interests and maximize their independence during their retirement years.

Find a community near you to see for yourself how our welcoming team members provide the utmost care and support to our residents and their families.