10 hobbies to keep senior citizens engaged post-retirement

What is your all-time favourite hobby? If you're having trouble coming up with one, it's possible that you haven't discovered it yet. Hobbies are a fantastic way for senior citizens to stay engaged after retirement and the best part is that there is no pressure, no strict timelines or objectives, unlike you had in your profession. And when you're retired, spending your days with activities you like is a treat. Now is the perfect time to relive your hobbies that you couldn’t pursue due to lack of time. 

Confused about where to begin from? Here is a list of 10 hobbies you might want to look into:

1. Gardening

Gardening is a great activity for the mind and the body as it is a peaceful way to pass time. Gardening has multiple helpful benefits for senior citizens like it reduces stress & anxiety, and it's an excellent way to spend time doing something fruitful. Gardening can work miracles in keeping senior citizens active, whether you choose to have a home garden or simply grow some plants in pots on your balcony or window.

2. Reading

Reading is considered a thoughtful way to enhance memory, reduce stress and encourage better rest. Indeed, reading a good book can help a senior citizen feel energetic, informed, and content. Therefore, grab the book you've been waiting to read for a while, brew yourself a cup of flavorful tea or coffee, take a seat and start reading!

3. Travelling

Travelling has its own advantages whether one travels across the state or around the world. It is often therapeutic to explore new sights and try new things. Travelling is a getaway from the daily routine for senior citizens to encounter new cultures, diets, and lifestyles and meet new people. You can go on pleasant outings like a picnic by the lake or a day at the beach. In the mornings, you can take a relaxing stroll through the city. Visit all the locations you've been wanting to go like places of worship, gardens, hill stations and historical landmarks. Keep adding new destinations to your bucket list.

4. Baking

Baking helps people to remain creative and active post-retirement as it's a great hobby to take up. And, do you know what's the best part of baking? You can learn baking delicious cakes, cookies, muffins, cupcakes and so many more dishes all the time which your loved ones enjoy eating. So, happy baking! 

5. Pets

Taking care of a pet can be considered a hobby. Having a pet can give you a wonderful companion and someone to whom you can dedicate your attention each day. For instance, if you live alone, getting a dog is a great way to deal with boredom and loneliness. Automatically, you gain a sense of responsibility from having pets. You are aware that you must feed them, take them for walks, keep them clean and guard them against any possible risks in the house as well as outside. Animal shelters all over the world are currently filled with four-legged pals looking for loving homes. Well, adopting a pet is a very noble act that has numerous advantages.

6. Social Media

The use of social media has overtaken the globe and also senior citizens are joining in. On our list of possible hobbies, this trend has also grown to be one of the most popular hobbies. Millions of individuals throughout the world have relied on social media to communicate with loved ones near and far ever since the coronavirus pandemic started. In particular, seniors who live alone or are far from family can benefit from famous social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp. These platforms are also a great way to express your views, and talents and contribute in meaningful ways.

7. Bird Watching

There are several strong reasons why birdwatching is swiftly rising to the top of the list of popular hobbies across the world. It is easy, affordable and motivates us to spend time outside. Additionally, this pastime helps improve focus and boosts attention to detail. Seniors who learn the timing and pattern of the neighbourhood birds' arrivals and departures may find it relaxing. Starting up doesn't require much. With consideration for food, water and shelter, concentrate on establishing a welcoming environment for birds. To see the bird with your binoculars or camera, a birdwatcher must be prepared to pounce. A bird can emerge and disappear in the span of a single blink. Birdwatchers must maintain their focus in order to spot any signs that a bird may be close. 

8. Learn to Play a Musical Instrument

Have you ever desired to play the piano or any other musical instrument but lacked the time to do so? One of the finest times to start a hobby like this is when you are older. It will help you with memory retention, hand-eye coordination and skills improvement in addition to keeping the brain engaged and stimulated.

9. Fitness Activities

Sports may not be your thing, but that's okay. There are many more methods to get active, socialize and take care of your health. Exercise has been found to increase flexibility, strength, and cognitive function in senior citizens and to decrease or prevent the risk of a number of diseases and chronic health problems. For people of various fitness levels, here are some great fitness hobby suggestions: hiking/trekking, walking, cycling, going to the gym, yoga, and joining fitness classes and groups.

You can download the Khyaal app to attend yoga/meditation sessions and many more among others. Click here to get the Khyaal app.

10. Socialize/Join Community Groups

Being socially active, spending quality time with loved ones, meeting friends, and going out with grandchildren are things that will allow people post-retirement to stay connected with friends and family members and keep themselves updated on what is occurring across the world. Plus, technology these days has made connecting with people around the globe very easy. You can learn how to use social media platforms like Facebook, Skype and Whatsapp to make video calls to your kids, stay in touch with all of your friends & family and keep yourself informed about global events by using these tools. 

Also, you can join the Khyaal community for seniors and enjoy fun, informative and engaging activities by clicking on the link. 

Develop a new passion in your most beautiful years after retirement.

The best pastimes are those that spark new interest in you. You will experience greater advantages through your renewed motivation, not to forget healthy ageing. We at Khyaal hope that this article has encouraged you to go on a fresh course of action in your golden years.