Retirement is a time in your life when you can finally bid farewell to the daily grind and embrace a newfound freedom to do what you love.
One of the best ways to make the most of this new chapter is to indulge in your favourite pastimes or take up a brand-new hobby that fills you with purpose and joy. Hobbies are a brilliant way to stay physically, mentally, and socially stimulated, so there has never been a better time to pick up a new interest.
According to research, the most popular hobbies for retirees include reading, gardening and baking, but there is a whole world of hobbies to discover.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular hobbies for retirees, so you can embrace your retirement years with fun, excitement, and maybe even discover a new passion.
Travel
Have you always had itchy feet with a bucket list of places you’ve longed to visit? It’s no wonder that travelling is one of the most popular hobbies for retirees, as you finally have enough time to start planning adventures.
Whether you choose to venture out on solo trips, with your partner or with friends, the world is your oyster. Write a list of all the places and countries you’d love to see and start making your plans. You don’t even need to venture out of the country if you don’t want to. The UK is filled with beautiful places to discover, and you can explore by car, train, or plane.
Gardening
Gardening is the second most popular hobby for retirees in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is gardening a great way to stay active and fit, but it also benefits your mental health. Gardening can be hugely rewarding, especially if you learn how to grow your own fruits and vegetables. Imagine tucking into a delicious salad or tasty soup made with vegetables grown all by yourself.
You don’t need to be naturally green-fingered to start gardening either. There are plenty of free tutorials on YouTube, and gardening centres are always happy to offer advice and guidance. There might even be gardening clubs in your local area you could get involved with, and if you find you want more space to expand your hobby, you could rent an allotment from your local council.
Exercise classes
According to the NHS, most adults aged 65 and older spend an average of 10 hours or more sitting or lying down every day. This puts adults of retirement age at higher risk of health complications such as obesity and heart disease than the rest of the population. Regular exercise can help you keep fit, boost circulation and immunity, reduce stress levels and improve your mood.
Whether you were a gym-goer or Zumba addict before retirement, or you’ve never exercised much before in your life, joining an exercise class is the perfect way to keep you fit, healthy, and socially active.
Speak to your local gym or see if there are any classes in community centres you could join. There are so many different types of exercise to choose from, including plenty of low-impact sports such as dance, water aerobics, and yoga, that you might find you’re spoiled for choice.
Cooking
Not only can cooking a meal from scratch give you a wonderful sense of achievement, but it’s also a lovely way to bring friends and family together. You could even start hosting a regular Sunday roast for your family and enjoy making special memories together. Cooking is also great for your mental health, as it can help ease stress and boost mental and creative stimulation.
Try creating a simple meal plan and experiment with healthy recipes to get you started. Again, you can find thousands of cooking tutorial videos on YouTube and many recipes online to suit your tastes, so pop on your apron, grab your chef’s hat, and start cooking.
Arts and crafts
One of our favourite hobbies for retirees is art and other ways of exploring your creative side. Learning how to paint, draw, sculpt, or craft can be incredibly fulfilling, and you don’t need to be a professional to enjoy them, as they are all about self-expression and having fun.
See if there are any art classes within your community, or have a look online. There are plenty of online tutorials to discover, and many of them are free. Creating art can be a therapeutic outlet for your feelings and is a special way to leave behind a legacy of homemade pieces for your loved ones.
Tai Chi
Looking for a hobby with a bit of a difference? Thai Chi is a brilliant activity to improve the mind-body connection, as well as balance, cognition, and flexibility.
Tai Chi combines athletic training with slow and controlled movements and is derived from a series of slow martial arts movements. The energy of Tai Chi is very much go-with-the-flow, and it’s an incredibly calming and gentle way to keep your body fit and your mind at peace.
Will you be trying one of these hobbies for retirees?
Retirement opens up a chapter in your life with a huge range of new hobbies to explore.
Choosing the right hobbies can keep you in good shape, boost your mental health, and help you connect with those around you. They also give you the perfect excuse to venture out of the house, adopt a new routine, and give you a sense of achievement.
Whatever hobby you decide is right for you, pursuing your passions can help you make the most of your golden years and enjoy every bit of this incredible new journey called retirement.