BalanceA 4-minute read
A hobby, something you do because you enjoy it rather than because it is due, is one of the most direct ways to slow down. The National Institute on Aging has some of the clearest public guidance on why such activities matter and how to fit them in, and most of it applies at any age.
Why activities you enjoy matter
NIA says that participating in social and other activities you enjoy can help support healthy aging, and describes an active lifestyle as more than getting your daily steps in: it includes doing activities that are meaningful to you and benefit your mind, spirit and body. Its summary of the research says people who take part in hobbies and social activities:
- May be less likely to develop certain health problems, including dementia, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
- Tend to live longer: happiness, life satisfaction and a sense of purpose are all linked to longer life in studies, and doing things you enjoy may help cultivate those feelings.
- Say they feel happier and healthier, in the case of older adults who take part in meaningful activities such as volunteering or being physically active.
- Are better prepared to cope, because positive emotions, a sense of purpose and good health are associated with resilience.
- May improve thinking abilities: mentally stimulating or physical activities may have a positive effect on memory, and the more variety the better.
NIA also notes the other side: being lonely or socially isolated is not good for your overall health and can increase feelings of depression or anxiety.
Ideas to choose from
| Type | Examples suggested by NIA |
|---|---|
| Group hobbies | Knitting, hiking, birdwatching, painting, wood carving |
| Classes | Cooking, art, dance, language or computer classes at a community college or library |
| Culture | Local museums, many of which offer free group tours and programs |
| Helping others | Running errands for neighbors, organizing a park clean-up |
| Teaching | Passing on embroidery, photography, chess, baking, woodworking, calligraphy or quilting |
| Sport and play | A bowling club or bocce league; teaching a game to grandchildren |
Start small
NIA’s advice on pacing is practical. Everyone has different limits on how much time they can spend on activities, and what is perfect for one person may be too much for another. Start by adding one or two activities to your routine, see how you feel, and add more later. And remember, it says, that activities you enjoy should be fun, not stressful.
Tip: Book it like a meeting. Put a regular slot in the calendar, such as Tuesday at 7pm, so the time is protected before other things fill it.
More ways in
- Reconnect with old friends through a high school or college alumni association, as NIA suggests.
- Visit a community or senior center and take part in its events.
- Volunteer: NIA gives examples such as running errands for people with limited mobility or access to transportation.
- Teach a skill you already have to someone younger.
NIA tells the story of two retirees who missed waking up with a sense of purpose, one missing his customers and the trade he taught, the other caring for grandchildren who were now in school, and who thought joining a volunteer group might help. Its verdict: they were right. The National Institute of Mental Health makes a related point about stress: reaching out to friends or family members who help you cope in a positive way is one of the things it suggests trying when you feel overwhelmed.
Finding the time
- Trade a screen hour. The CDC recommends turning off devices at least 30 minutes before bed; a hobby with your hands is a natural way to fill that time. See Taking a Phone Break: Simple Rules for the Car, the Bedroom and the Workday.
- Use the weekend reset. Block one or two hours for a hobby as part of A Weekend Reset Routine: Rest, Move, Tidy and Plan Without Losing the Weekend.
- Combine with movement. Active hobbies can count toward the CDC’s 150 weekly minutes when they reach moderate intensity, like brisk walking.
- Go outside. Birdwatching, gardening and hiking clubs combine a hobby with time in nature; see Spending Time in Nature: Getting Outdoors When Most of Life Happens Inside.
Where to look
NIA points to local community colleges and libraries, many of which offer free or discounted courses for older adults, and to community and senior centers with events and activities. Online classes and groups also count: NIA notes that some activities can be enjoyed from a distance using phones and computers, so even people in rural areas or with other restrictions can take part.
One activity at a time
A hobby can also be practice in single-tasking. Research summarized by the American Psychological Association finds that switching back and forth between tasks costs time and adds errors; a hobby gives you a regular stretch of doing just one thing. More in Single-Tasking Instead of Multitasking: What the Research on Switching Costs Shows, and for the bigger picture, How to Slow Down in a Busy Life: Small Changes Backed by Public Health Guidance.