Hobbies and Aging

Diane Carbo

Keeping mind and body busy can be a key to healthy aging.

Posted July 19, 2010

By Diane Carbo

Hobbies have a mind-body connection; they are important activities for senior citizens, and are an important part of healthy aging. Active seniors are proof that you can enjoy better health and have fun doing it.

Hobbies as activities for senior citizens are a way to calm their minds and relax...a way to belong, and to have something to look forward to doing. For many, their hobbies are tools that release stress and help bring their emotions back into balance again. Hobby time is a time when we get an attitude adjustment and feel right with the world again.

Having a variety of hobbies during the week can keep an individual busy, interested and involved. Participating in a hobby with a group can be motivating. Knowing that the expectations of others are anticipating your participation in the day’s activity may give one the boost to go when they feel down. Just knowing that others depend on you to be there, may give senior citizens an extra boost to participate when they don’t feel like it. Feeling a sense of commitment to others, a sense of belonging is important to healthy aging.

Some good activities for senior citizens

Research studies have shown that leisure time and physical activity promote a healthier lifestyle. Our bodies are meant to be active and to move. Many, as they age, tend to become increasingly inactive, preferring to watch television to help pass the time away. Finding fun activities for senior citizens can change that.

Active seniors are involved and participate in what life has to offer. Hobbies give an individual a reason to get out and share with others. Whether it is painting, building model airplanes or playing cards the benefits of a hobby can be an increase your chances for improved physical, social, and emotional well-being.

It is important to have regular, leisure-time, physical activity. Anything that promotes moving and being active will benefit you as you age. The health benefits of staying active are a delay or prevention of a chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and arthritis. Physical activity also promotes brain fitness. This can help delay or prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Participating in a variety of hobbies helps many cope with the stressors of life. How you react and respond to different situations in life affects your health. Stress and anxiety can lead to poor health. Active seniors are involved and lead a more balanced life.

Hobbies allow active seniors to socialize, find companionship and camaraderie. Making connections with others that have the same interests can often open an individual to new-found friendships.

Many individuals who participate in similar hobbies find themselves sharing time with other people having similar experiences in life. As we age, we experience losses that affect our emotional health. Active seniors who are involved in hobbies have a pool of others from whom they can draw emotional support and comfort. There are times when they can also learn from shared experiences. Sharing our feelings with others is a way to connect with them, as well as relieve the stress and anxiety we may be feeling.

Diane Carbo, RN has over 35 years’ experience in a variety of nursing settings, including orthopedics/rehabilitation nursing, home care, discharge planning, case management, oncology, hospice, senior behavior health, assisted living, and long term care. Her passion is to help people plan for long-term care needs, and to that end started AgingHomeHealthCare.com. Her goal is to assist aging seniors and their families to develop plans that allow individuals to remain home, safely and comfortably, in the least restrictive environment, regardless of age, income or ability level.