After years of doing the daily grind of work, retirement becomes a period of rest and reward; seniors can finally just stop worrying about work and enjoy the rest of their lives in the comforts of their home. Although retirement is something many people look forward to, the thought of just staying at home and having nothing to do gets old quite quickly. Being stagnant won’t only lead to boredom and being irritable, but can lead to mental health issues along the line, which is why having a hobby is essential to fill that hole and keep your mind active.
In fact, a 2011 study shows that engaging in hobbies and reading can significantly lower the risk of dementia later on. That said, we’ll be taking a look at various hobbies that elderly retirees can genuinely enjoy at home:
Arts and Crafts
There are a plethora of creative activities that retirees can do in their home. Having a creative outlet can provide mental, emotional, and psychological benefits, and also gives one a sense of fulfillment once they finish their ‘project’. You can either continue a hobby you’ve already have for years, rediscover one that you’ve been doing a couple of years back, or dive into a new one. For those who wish to have more physically active arts and crafts hobby, you can consider learning and taking up woodworking — a fairly easy-to-learn, engaging, and fun activity. Alternatively, you can take up knitting, cross-stitching, and even drawing/painting. Your creative output (whether they’re painting, a sculpture, or even a piece of furniture) can also be used to further decorate and personalize your home.
Gardening
Gardening is an amazing hobby once you start getting into it. Not only does gardening allow you to move, sweat, and enjoy the outdoors (and also get some much-needed sunlight), but it can be a wholesome activity that can beautify your home and also serve as an effective creative outlet. Your garden can be your own sandbox, free for you to mold and shape to your liking. Even those that don’t have a green thumb can easily learn, even just by going to your local shop in Salt Lake City selling garden products. These stores oftentimes have avid and experienced gardeners who are more than willing to help guide you, and even troubleshoot some of your gardening issues.
Adopting and Caring for a Pet
An article by the BrightFocus Foundation, an NGO focusing on research and education regarding brain and eye disease, showed that having a pet (whether it’s a cat, dog, or fish) can do wonders to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and different forms of dementia. And for those that aren’t afflicted with dementia, playing with your pets can help prevent Alzheimer’s. So, if you’re an animal person, you may want to consider getting a pet to keep you company during your retirement years. For dog-lovers, a dog can be as physically challenging (but not difficult or inconvenient) as they can be fun to be with — you’d be encouraged to play outside, and take regular walks.
Conclusion
Although retirement is technically a time for one to rest, it doesn’t mean that you can’t stay active and have fun. So try out one of these activities, or look for something that fits your preferences. But regardless of which hobby you choose, it’s important that you choose one that you can honestly have fun and feel a sense of fulfillment with when you do it — don’t just choose something to pass the time and prevent yourself from being bored.