As you get older, staying physically and mentally active is more important than ever. After all, if you hope to have flourishing mental and emotional health, you have to look at your mind as a garden.
You must water and care for your needs, if you hope to see yourself flourish. After all, one of the leading health concerns amongst seniors is depression. Keeping yourself busy is one of the best ways to keep your mental health strong and avoid feeling lonely or depressed. If you’re a senior and you’re looking for a new passion, or even just a way to get a little exercise, here are some hobby ideas for you to try out.
Cooking
If you’ve never been much of a cook before, then it’s never too late to start! Often in our younger years we show little interest in cooking because it seemed like more of a task than a pleasure. After all, when you have a spouse or children to cook for every night, cooking feels more like a job than a pleasure.
Whether you decide to try out cooking in an outdoor kitchen, or crafting sushi, there are all sorts of fun ways to test out recipes. The best part about this hobby is that you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Eating your creations can be incredibly rewarding and can even be done with friends and family, Which makes it a great excuse to throw a dinner party.
Play an Instrument
They say you can’t old dog new tricks, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth! Not only can you teach an old dog new tricks, you can even teach them to play an instrument! Playing music can be a delightful way to pass your time, and can even improve your cognitive function. Not to mention it’s a wonderful way to express yourself emotionally. Studies show that people who play a musical instrument for even just 15 minutes a day are less susceptible to anxiety and depression.
Whether you decide to try out playing the piano or the guitar, any sort of music in your life can be a good thing. You may even decide to try a few out before you find one that you truly enjoy. Be patient and remember that everyone has their own unique process.
Painting
When was the last time that you took a paintbrush and simply expressed yourself visually? Painting is a great way to fulfill yourself as you can express your emotions and ideas in a way that words can’t.
If you don’t feel very confident in your artistic skills, don’t worry! You don’t have to show anyone what you create initially! It’s all about letting what you feel out onto the paper, and putting it away if you don’t feel like showing anyone. If you want to improve your artistic skills, you may even want to join an art class.
This way you’ll feel supported in a community environment where everyone has room to grow with their artistic abilities
