Live Well! Explore New Hobbies to Try in Retirement

For many older adults, their retirement years are an exciting period to travel, spend time with family and try new things. However, it can also present a challenge. How do you spend your days? You have likely spent decades thinking about your career and family, and you may not know how to fill your retirement with activity and purpose.

At The Woodlands at Canterfield, we are committed to helping older adults thrive in their retirement years. With a beautiful new Illinois senior living community located just south of historic West Dundee, we provide personalized assisted living services and compassionate memory support and care. We believe that your retirement years should be a time for enjoyment, exploration and freedom. 

Today, we are looking at some of the most exciting hobbies you can start in your retirement. Whether you enjoy being outdoors, playing sports, or prefer arts and music, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Get Active with Sports

There are many mental and physical health benefits when it comes to sports. And during retirement, individuals may return to the sports they love or decide to try something new. Although some of the most traditionally popular sports include golf and tennis, one of the fastest-growing sports among older adults is pickleball.

A recent AARP article examined the positive effects of pickleball. The physical activity it provides is excellent for cardiovascular health as well as muscle definition and bone health. Playing a sport like pickleball regularly each week provides opportunities for socialization and building relationships. It also helps to build skills like communication, collaboration and teamwork.

Sports of all kinds can be fun ways to exercise and spend quality time with friends. 

Unwind with Gardening

For retirees who are not interested in sports but still want to enjoy the beauty and comfort of the fresh outdoors, gardening is a wonderful hobby to pick up! Gardening has many health benefits as well. One of the most important is it can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Working in the garden is a great way to relax and unwind at any time of the day.

A study also showed that gardening can positively impact a person’s self-esteem while also providing opportunities for social engagement and friendship. The joy of having your hands in the cool dirt, the smell of fresh flowers in full bloom, and the feel of the sun and a cool breeze – all reasons to head outside and work in the garden.

And if those reasons are not enough, consider the potential community impact of your gardening. Whether you grow beautiful flowers that can be viewed and enjoyed by people in your neighborhood or raise and harvest fruits and vegetables that you share with families in the community, gardening is a wonderful activity that positively impacts you and the people around you.

Express Yourself with Art & Music

One of the best ways to enjoy your retirement years is to create something beautiful. Whether you take an interest in painting, photography, sculpture or music, there are endless creative outlets for you to express your ideas and experience the joy of creation.

Older adults who practice an art form or music regularly experience lower stress. In addition, consistently practicing art or music can have positive effects on cognitive health. And if you are playing music in a band or taking a local art class, these activities provide a positive and supportive environment to meet other people and build relationships.

Give Back with Volunteering

Our final retirement activity recommendation is also one of our favorites. Taking on a volunteer position is one of the best ways to enjoy your retirement, give back to your community and spend quality time with others. 

Volunteering has been shown to have important health benefits, including lower blood pressure and a lower risk of stroke or heart attack. Volunteering also gives individuals a consistent connection with people in the community, a meaningful way to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Finally, volunteering provides older adults with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It feels good to help others, and there are countless individuals and families who could use your help. Volunteering is a wonderful activity that positively impacts everyone involved. 

At The Woodlands at Canterfield, we support residents in the West Dundee area with kind and compassionate assisted living and memory care. Our mission is to help older adults thrive in our beautiful and welcoming Illinois senior living community. 

We invite you to visit our website or call us at 224-802-4388 to learn more about our brand-new assisted living and memory care community in West Dundee, Illinois.