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SENIORLIVING Cultivating a new hobby
Retirement is often characterized as a carefree time in life when adults who spent years in the workforce get to enjoy the fruits of their labors. But upon retiring, many retirees find themselves fighting boredom. A recent study from Indeed found that, as of March 2022, 3.2 percent of workers who retired a year earlier had already reentered the workforce. No two retirees are the same, and a host of variables, boredom among them, likely compelled recently retired professionals to go back to work. Retirees who like the freedom of not working but are confronting a good bit of boredom can consider these tips to cultivate a new hobby that can help them pass the time in a rewarding and engaging way. • Identify new (or old) interests. Many retirees discover new passions in retirement, while others turn back the clock and revisit favorite hobbies from their youth. A good way to begin cultivating a new hobby is to jot down a list of activities you always found interesting but never had the time to learn or became too busy to fully invest in. Some seniors hit the links for the first time in retirement, while others return to school to study subjects they find interesting but did not engage with during their college
years. The options are endless, and jotting down a list of new or old interests is a great way to get the ball rolling. • Embrace new ways to engage a passion. Virtual resources like online courses and book clubs conducted over Zoom with fellow readers across the nation and possibly even the globe are a great way
to cultivate a new hobby in retirement. Virtual resources can be especially beneficial for seniors with mobility issues. • Consider locally based resources. Community parks departments and libraries may offer an array of free or affordable opportunities for seniors to engage with a new hobby. Parks departments
may offer anything from cross country skiing tutorials to age-based hiking excursions, while libraries may offer weekly crafting sessions or wellness programs to local residents. In addition to providing fun ways to discover and cultivate a new hobby, programs offered through parks departments and local libraries are great ways
to meet fellow retirees. • Put your experience to use. Retirees with years in their field don’t have to go back to work to make use of their professional expertise. Contact local youth organizations or outreach programs sponsored by churches, libraries or local law enforcement agencies and offer to share your expertise
with young people. Such opportunities allow retirees to continue to engage with their professions and help a younger generation of aspiring professionals gain valuable insight into fields they’re interested in. There’s no shortage of ways for seniors to overcome retirement boredom and cultivate rewarding hobbies.
Activities for seniors with limited mobility Physical activity is a valuable tool in the fight against chronic disease and other conditions. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic highlights physical activity among its nine ways to prevent disease in an effort to live a long and rewarding life. Children, adolescents, young adults and even men and women in middle age may not face too many physical hurdles when they try to exercise, but seniors are not always so lucky. Aging men and women with mobility issues may wonder if they can reap the rewards of physical activity, and
thankfully there are many ways to exercise even if getting up and going isn’t as easy as it might have been in years past. Sometimes referred to as “aerobic exercise” or simply “cardio,” cardiovascular exercise is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of physical activities that raise the heart rate and improve endurance. Seniors with mobility issues can look to various forms of cardio for inspiration as they seek to be more physically active without compromising their overall health. • Walk your way to a healthier you. Walking is a form of cardiovascular exercise that is ideal for older adults with mobility issues because it need not be physically demanding and it’s safe to walk just about anywhere. Walking in a place such as a local park can be particularly good for older adults because they can take periodic breaks on benches if
aches, pains or stiffness is affecting their ability to keep moving. • Take up swimming. Swimming might be tailor-made for seniors with mobility issues because it’s a great workout and exercising in water tends to be less taxing on muscles and joints. The Cleveland Clinic notes
that swimming promotes heart health, strengthens the lungs, helps to burn calories, and builds muscle, among other benefits. And many seniors find swimming is just as fun in their golden years as it was in their youth, which means aging adults might not face problems with motivation when the time
comes to get in the pool. • Use an exercise bike or portable pedal exerciser. Cycling is a wonderful exercise but one that seniors with mobility issues may feel is no longer possible. If doctors advise against riding a traditional bike, an exercise bike or portable pedal exerciser can provide many of the
benefits of cycling without as great a risk for accident or injury. A portable pedal exerciser can be carried to a park, where seniors can still spend time in the great outdoors, which is one of the most appealing reasons to get on a bike and go. • Take beginner yoga or tai chi. HelpGuide. org notes that gentle yoga or tai chi can help to improve flexibility and reduce stress and anxiety. Though yoga and tai chi can provide as much demanding physical activity as individuals allow, beginner classes in each discipline don’t require much movement but do provide enough for seniors hoping to be less sedentary. Even seniors with mobility issues can find safe and effective ways to be more physically active. Prior to beginning a new exercise regimen, seniors with mobility issues are urged to discuss activities with their physicians.