The Benefits of Picking Up New Hobbies Later in Life

Many people who are approaching the twilight years of their lives are getting ready to retire. With retirement comes something that many people look forward to: free time. This is free time to rest, travel, spend time with loved ones, etc.—however, that free time can be a bad thing.

Inaction is one of the biggest causes of health problems that older people will face. When they stop working, they often become a lot less active. This can bring about high blood pressure, kidney problems, and Type 2 diabetes, to name a few. It is imperative that retired individuals find something to keep them active, alert, healthy, and excited.

Combatting Boredom

Having a hobby is a great way to relieve stress. When you have something in your life that you enjoy doing, it allows you to forget about the things that may not be as positive. If you can find a good outlet for stress, it is more likely that it will be something you can continue doing and something that you will make a part of your weekly routine.

Preserving Health

When you keep up with activities like walking, biking, jogging, and other hobbies involving lots of physical activity, it can help prevent many chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and certain types of cancer. You will be in better physical shape, which can be useful for other activities later. You will feel less tired and more energetic.

Despite having good health and good finances, many people retire with a few years of retirement. A study from Oregon State University found that healthy adults who retired one year after the age of 65 were 11 percent less likely to die from all causes than people who retired at the age of 65. when taking into account socio-economic status, race and current health factors. Research attributes this to retired individuals’ tendency for lack of activity.

Additional Income

Retirement for most people also comes with the phrase “fixed income”. While this is usually enough for people to live comfortably, it often doesn’t account for unexpected costs, such as car repair, home repair, or medical bills. When these types of things occur, they can be very difficult for individuals living on a fixed income. However, let’s say that your hobby was baking cakes or fishing or some other potentially lucrative activity, that you enjoy doing. That extra bit of money, no matter how small, could potentially make a world of difference.

Increased Self-Esteem

Change is never easy, but it can be especially difficult on individuals who have been doing the same thing for more than 30 years. Knowing what will come next can help to alleviate a lot of the emotional burden that can often accompany retirement.