A hobby is considered to be a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one’s free or leisure time.
Research shows that some Hobbies can add years — or even decades — to your life. According to a study published in the Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences Journal, hobbies can help to increase your happiness, as well as reduce boredom, stress levels as well as your heart rate.
According to Dan Buettner and his book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. “It’s a source of daily physical activity that exercises the body with a wide range of motion and helps reduce stress,” he writes.
Chances are that when you were a young kid, you had tons of hobbies under your belt. Whether it was playing Chess, sports, solving puzzles, or even the good old-fashioned hobby of reading. “Somewhere along the time, the lines of work, life, and striking a balance get blurry. And when there are too many balls up in the air, one of them is bound to drop. Usually, it is the ball of “hobbies”. Most people scoff at “wasting time” in cultivating these hobbies, not realizing that it’s actually “investing time” and not wasting,” says Dr. Era Dutta (MD Psychiatry, DNB Psychiatry, MBBS), Consultant Psychiatrist, founder, Mind Wellness, Tedx Speaker, Mental health ninja.
HOBBIES LEAD TO BETTER MENTAL HEALTH
When you enjoy an activity, your brain releases feel-good chemicals which can balance hormones, reduce stress and improve the function of your heart and immune system. So when you finish that painting, the Dopamine reward chemical along with Serotonin are having a party in your brain.
ESSENTIAL IN OLDER AGE
In older age, one of the soundest pieces of advice given by all the doctors is about pursuing hobbies. The reason being that it can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, Depression, help people sleep better, boost enthusiasm and even reduce stress levels.
Think of the brain as a muscle, and if after retirement or a certain age, you stop flexing it, it’s bound to get atrophied sooner. Try inculcating hobbies that bring you joy and align with your life values.
Moving out of comfort zone is often tough for the older generation but allowing the growth mindset through training in new hobbies is a smart way to protect the brain from disuse atrophy.
MEANING TO LIFE
Japanese researchers found men with a strong sense of purpose were less likely to die from stroke, heart disease, or other causes over a 13-year period than those who were less sure of themselves. Being clear about what you’re doing and why can also lower your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease.
Ikagai is a beautiful book that talks all about finding your “purpose of being”. This is beyond the work. Finding something that brings you joy, and meaning is essential for a life well lived. The population of the island where this book is based boasts of longevity of life due to following the purpose of being principle.
Hobbies are directly linked with our sense of purpose in life, as they encourage us to learn and feel passionate about something outside of work. When you enjoy an activity, your brain releases feel-good chemicals which can balance hormones, reduce stress and improve the function of your heart and immune system.
HOBBIES CAN DO A LOT FOR YOU
Research shows that some hobbies can add years or even decades to your life.
Those individuals moving into their golden years may be interested to know that, according to research, hobbies and your longevity are interconnected. Reading. Stress is a big source of health problems that shorten lives. Try picking up a book and escaping into another world. This can decrease your stress levels by 68%, according to a study out of the University of Sussex. It only takes a few minutes for reading to start working its magic.
The idea of waking up and looking forward to something brings in a sense of hope and longing. Hobbies can help in bonding. A great way to explore hobbies is not only for your own self but also to socialize with others. Like-minded people flock towards similar hobbies.
TYPES OF HOBBIES FOR THE OLDER FOLKS:
- Short lived and casual leisure: intrinsically rewarding, short and quick, pleasurable without much preparation. Like playing a game, nature walk, painting
- Serious leisure: longer time investment, more systematic, rewarding and feeling of accomplishment. Like volunteering services, preparing for a marathon, elaborate paintings
- Project based: Like volunteering or participating in an upcoming play. Which is short term, one time and rewarding.
How to find the right hobby for yourself?
- Look at your childhood
- How do you like to spend your time?
- What is that thing you’ve always wanted to do?
- Find community
- Look online
- Try everything and see what sticks
A few excellent easy to do hobbies for the older generation to help lead a more fulfilled life:
Find something that boosts your Mental, Physical, Social and Philanthropic quest for life.
Mental: Puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, Chess
Fitness: Walking, gardening
Sports: Marathon, weight training (yes it can be done in older age), Zumba
