Retirement can be one of the most enjoyable periods of our lives, as we have the time to do the things we’ve always wanted to do. There are lots of great hobbies to try out in retirement.
Hobbies To Meet People
Loneliness can be a big problem for retired people. Joining a group is a great way to meet new people with similar interests, while also keeping you connected to your community. If you live in a retirement community, like https://theglen.org/, there will often be groups you can join.
- Join a book club
- Start a blog
- Join a choir or a band
- Join a dance class
- Attend a gym class
- Volunteer at an animal shelter
- Write to a pen pal
- Join a board game club
- Go to concerts or festivals
- Go to a local pub quiz
There are plenty of possible hobbies that could help you to meet people. If you can’t get out as often as you’d like, there are still ways to meet people. Try social media groups or forums to meet people online. Join a pen pal scheme, so you can write to someone, and build a relationship that way.
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Hobbies At Home
Not everyone wants a packed calendar that keeps them out all the time. Some people want something more casual, that can be done at home. If this is you, try some of these:
- Learn to play an instrument
- Take up painting
- Upcycle furniture
- Brew your own beer
- Write poetry or fiction
- Do jigsaws
- Make greeting cards
- Make jewellery
- Take up woodworking
- Fix up an old car
Problem-solving games like puzzles are a great way to keep your mind active, which can lower the risk of dementia, improve your memory, improve your hand-eye coordination, and lower your stress levels. Try crosswords, jigsaws, or online puzzles and games.
Hobbies Out Of The House
An excuse to get out of the house is a good way to add some structure to your day. However, you don’t need to pay for a class or join a club to do it if you don’t want to. There are plenty of hobbies that can be done alone that will help you to get out of the house occasionally. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Birdwatching
- Trainspotting
- Fishing
- Photography
- Attending food festivals
- Buying and selling antiques
The best part of most of these hobbies is that you can do them alone any time you fancy some alone time and getting out of the house, and something that you do with other people if you would rather have some company. Lots of these hobbies work well as a way to meet up with like-minded people too. There are lots of us clubs and conventions out there for enthusiasts in just about anything, whether you like vintage cars or knitting. There are also lots of wildlife groups out there that always appreciate volunteers to help them support and care for the local wildlife. These groups often go on field trips to study the nature in the area.
Hobbies That Will Get You Thinking
If you’re not keeping your mind active, you can soon get bored and fed up while you’re retired. Mental stimulation can go a long way to improve mental wellbeing. Whether you decide to use your retirement to learn a new skill, taking an interesting class, sharing your insights with a group, or entering competitions, hobbies that keep your brain active can help you to stay creative and protect your mental health.
- Write poetry or fiction
- Games and puzzles
- Learn to do magic tricks
- Computer programming
- Join a debate club
- Read
- Study genealogy
- Learn a new language
- Build models
- Make crafts
Hobbies To Get Moving
Staying active as you get older comes with a lot of health benefits, and joining a team or class that keeps you fit is also a good way to meet people and make new friends. Exercise can be good fun too. Try out a few different activities until you find something that you really enjoy doing, so you’re more likely to stick to it. Walking, swimming and cycling are all popular exercises with senior citizens. They’re good choices, as they’re low-impact and affordable. There are plenty of other activities that are more exciting that you could try out too.
- Yoga
- Golf
- Darts
- Bowling
- Dancing
- Pool or billiards
- Walking
- Football
- Croquet
- Tai chi
- Archery
- Swimming
- Table tennis
- Pilates
- Clay pigeon shooting
- Horse-riding
- Tennis
- Rounders
Whatever you take up, make sure you speak to your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you.
Photo by James Hose Jr
