Your hobbies are more than just a way to pass the time; they're also a crucial health tool. According to government guidelines, seniors should practice regular movement, creative work, and spend time socializing and learning.
These activities don't just keep seniors enthusiastic and engaged after retirement; they're also associated with better sleep, cognition, and independence.
Seniors in Kansas City are spending their newfound free time trying out new hobbies. The freedom of retirement means there's never been a better time to explore something new.
Interested in learning more about how hobbies and interests are helping Kansas seniors boost their health and well-being?
Read on to learn more about this key part of healthy aging strategies.
If you were to go to the doctor for a persistent low mood, they might prescribe an antidepressant like Prozac. There's an increasing amount of evidence that hobbies can be as effective as these kinds of medicines. For example, a recent study by Hei Wan Mak and others suggests hobbies can help seniors:
Like any long-term habit, it takes time for commitment to hobbies to build. You don't just become a knitting aficionado overnight. It takes a short time commitment to start up a new routine.
Sadly, many seniors here in Kansas City miss out on the proven benefits of activities because they struggle with the initial startup.
According to the bestselling book Atomic Habits by James Clear, the most successful habits are those we make part of our identity. In other words, if you make your hobby part of who you are and how you represent yourself to other people, you're more likely to keep at it.
Imagine living in a senior community and being known as the knitter of the group. Once the hobby is part of your identity, and people know you for it, it's hard to turn back. Your peers instill a sense of responsibility or sometimes competitiveness that helps you sustain a new activity.
Friends and family can also play a more direct role. Nothing cuts friction like having a regular activity scheduled with a loved one every week. Maybe you could meet your brother at the tennis court every Sunday, or maybe meeting for a casual coffee is more your thing.
Whatever your style, having hobbies and interests in your calendar gives you something to look forward to and does wonders for building sustainable habits.
Hobbies are more than just a way to fill time; they're a way to add the following to your calendar:
These activities are associated with more stable moods, more restful sleep. But hobbies and interests. According to the NIA, these activities also help build a strong sense of purpose and support independence and well-being throughout old age.
Let's take a look in a bit more depth at what's going on within each category of activities. Physical hobbies support balance, stamina, and vitality, and they're also an effective way of managing blood pressure.
Activities like gardening, walking, and dancing are great ways to get active and burn off some steam. Frequent physical activity is a guaranteed way to boost both mental and physical health.
Of course, there are also skill-based hobbies, where the skill exists in your own brain. Things like playing chess, completing jigsaw puzzles, or playing games engage attention, memory, and planning.
Unlike mundane tasks like work and chores, these activities stimulate the brain in a positive way and can help seniors maintain good cognitive function.
Whether you want to start gardening, playing chess, or anything in between, the hardest step is getting started. Social clubs and classes can help seniors get through those critical first few weeks of nurturing a new hobby.
Starting is the hard part; it gets easier as you build momentum. Joining up with like-minded people who expect you to show up every week makes it easier to stick to it.
If you're still struggling with motivation, here are some options that may help. First, try focusing on the next five minutes. For example, if you want to start walking long distances, begin by walking to the end of the block.
You could also try pairing the hobby with one of your existing habits, making it much easier to integrate into your daily routine. For instance, if you want to take up knitting, you could adapt your existing morning tea routine to include it.
These kinds of anchors to existing personal systems reduce decision fatigue and help you stick to your plans. If the hobby involves tools or other materials, keep them visible and ready. For example, if you want to finally learn the guitar, keeping it visible on a stand will motivate you to pick it up and practice.
Retirement is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby, but it's about more than just having fun or securing bragging rights. It's also about safeguarding your health and ensuring good moods and mental focus.
Retirement often brings a loss of a sense of purpose, so finding an exciting new pursuit could be the opportunity you're looking for.
Of course, some hobbies and interests simply can't be enjoyed alone. Try playing a board game like Monopoly by yourself, and you'll see some activities are just better together.
Senior living communities are an excellent way for seniors with mobility issues to get together with peers and enjoy things like board games, exercise classes, and shared dining.
Here at Garden Village in Kansas City, we're proud of our community spirit. We're also delighted to showcase our independent living accommodations, with special discounts available for our respected military veterans.
These residences allow seniors to maintain their independence in a supportive community.
The only way to truly understand Garden Village is to see it for yourself, so contact us today and let's start the process of setting up a tour.