24 Hobbies That Keep Retirees Sharp, Healthy, and Connected

Arts and crafts are a fun way to reduce stress and make something worthwhile, but not every retiree wants to dedicate their time to crafting. Retirees looking for hobbies for seniors will find a whole world of mentally and physically engaging activities that offer real benefits beyond just beating boredom.

Related: I Tried 10 Different ‘Grandma Hobbies’ for 4 Weeks—Here’s the 1 That Actually Stuck

Benefits of Activity

We all know that physical activity is good for people of any age, but it’s especially important once you hit retirement. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), physical activity not only gives you immediate benefits, but can actually help stave off chronic illnesses as you age.

Mentally stimulating activities are just as important. A report last year by the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that loneliness and social isolation contribute significantly to the mental health of seniors. To combat this, seniors should create “physical and social environments that support well-being and enable people to do what is important to them.”

Finding activities you enjoy and that bring purpose will keep you both physically and mentally active, helping you maintain healthy aging. 

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Sports

People who played sports most of their lives may feel a void after giving up those activities. Low-impact sports can get you back up and moving. 

Ideas: 

• Pickleball 
• Bocce 
• Swimming 
• Water aerobics 
• Dancing
• Tai Chi 
• Yoga
• Cycling
• Fishing

Creative

Arts and crafts do fall under creative hobbies, but you can take it so much further. There are plenty of creative activities that you may find fulfilling: 

• Learning to cook a new culture’s cuisine
• Learning a musical instrument 
• Taking improv or acting classes 
• Joining a book club
• Going on photography walks 
• Joining a tabletop gaming club 
• Joining a movie club
• Learning a new language

Volunteer

Volunteering in your community and beyond allows you to meet new people and give back. Some volunteer opportunities include:

• Creating or maintaining a community garden
• Reading to shelter pets
• Helping maintain local parks
• Mentoring kids after school
• Running classes at the local library
• Being active in your local religious organization
• Supporting a food program like a soup kitchen or food bank

Related: The Quiet Marriage Problem That Starts the Day You Both Retire

Staying Active

Maintaining your physical and cognitive health is important for healthy aging. Research from Harvard Health shows that staying active helps reduce your chances of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and breast cancer. 

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of the activities that can keep you healthy, it is a great starting point to help you find something exciting. The important part is finding an activity you enjoy and sticking with it. As you get older, you’ll continue to reap the benefits. 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.