One of the best things about getting older is having a little more extra time for yourself. This means you can finally spend time doing things you love. Hobbies are fun but they also offer plenty of health benefits too. Some hobbies can boost brain health while others can keep you physically active. Most hobbies are also great for relieving stress too.
Aside from the physical and mental benefits, hobbies also allow you to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, and offer you something fun to do in your downtime. Better yet, all hobbies have a place for beginners which means you can start regardless of your experience level. If you’re not sure where to start, then check out our list of 10 unique hobbies for women over 50!
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Journaling/Writing
Writing is a great hobby you can start and offers plenty of health benefits too. For starters, writing can help improve your memory because the act of writing something down can help you remember it. It can also boost brain health as writing will keep your brain active.
Journaling can also be a great stress reliever! This is because the act of transferring your overwhelming thoughts to paper can help rid your mind of these emotions and in turn, help to relieve stress. Along with journaling, you can also use your time to write a book.
Blogging
Instead of putting pen to paper, you might even want to consider picking up blogging as a hobby! There are endless things you can talk about whether that’s sharing your expertise from your earlier years, talking about everyday life, starting DIY (do it yourself) projects, talking about fashion, and so much more.
Blogging can even help you make friends online as you’ll be able to connect with like-minded people. As a bonus, some people are even able to make an income from blogging. It’s easy to get started too! Simply search online to find a platform to build your blog and start writing!
Gardening
Do you enjoy spending time outdoors and do you like plants? If that’s the case then you might want to consider taking up gardening as a hobby. You can plant flowers or fruits and vegetables — the options are endless!
Gardening also offers plenty of health benefits for seniors too. For starters, it can be therapeutic and a great way to relieve stress. It can also help boost brain health. Gardening is also a great way to burn calories and a good form of exercise for seniors. Finally, when gardening outdoors you’ll be exposed to sunlight which also gives you exposure to vitamin D. There are plenty of reasons to grab a shovel and start gardening!
Arts and Crafts
If you have an artistic flair why not invest your time in making art and crafts. There are so many ways you can explore your creativity from painting and ceramics to knitting and crocheting and so much more.
Getting in touch with your creative side has health benefits too! It can help maintain/improve your motor skills, help reduce stress, and can promote brain health. You can get started by purchasing supplies at your local craft store or join a class.
Sports
Were you involved in sports in your younger years or did you wish you were? It’s never too late to start! participating in exercise can be both fun, and good for your health! In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “As an older adult, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.” They also recommend that you get about 150 minutes of activity per week.
There are so many different types of sports you can start doing, from yoga and tai chi to swimming and bowling. But that’s not all, you might also enjoy golfing or shuffleboard, and so much more. There is something for everyone!
Scrapbooking
Photo albums are great keepsakes to have because they document your journey through life and allow you to reflect on the past. But if you’re looking for a new hobby why not start scrapbooking!
A scrapbook typically includes a variety of pictures, artwork, printed media, and descriptions. You can get as creative as you want and include printed paper, stickers, as well as any other embellishments you enjoy.
Dancing
It’s always fun to let loose every once in a while and dance like no one is watching! But did you know dancing offers plenty of health benefits too? Dancing is a great hobby for seniors because it can help improve your strength, balance, and endurance and it also has heart and brain health benefits too.
To get started, you can dance for fun at home or you might also enjoy joining a dancing class where you can meet new people. You can also check out our low-impact salsa dance workout. Our senior fitness expert, Meredith Chen, has even included a video so you can follow along!
Learn an Instrument
If you enjoy music, then you should consider learning to play an instrument. Learning to play a musical instrument sets off a symphony of activity all over your brain and is the equivalent of a full-body workout for your brain.
Studies also show that learning a new skill such as playing an instrument, can improve your memory. To start learning, you can teach yourself using videos online or you can consider joining a class or hiring a teacher. You may even make new friends along the way. Finally, always remember that it’s never too late to learn new skills!
Make Jewelry
Do you like wearing accessories? Why not start a new hobby making jewelry! You can start by buying supplies at a craft store and then allow your imagination to run wild. Or you can join a jewelry making class if you’d prefer a little guided direction.
You can make jewelry for yourself and you can gift your pieces to friends and family. Better yet, you might even want to consider selling the jewelry you make to earn a little cash on the side.
Games
Games are not only fun to play but they have brain-boosting benefits too, especially if the game requires critical thinking. Playing games also has social benefits too. You can sign up to play games weekly at a community center or plan events with your friends at home.
There are so many different games you can play from card games like rummy and cribbage to board games like chess and scrabble. Many of these games can be played online now too. This will allow you to make new friends or you can stay connected with old friends and play together online.
