senior lifestyle
There’s No Age Limit to Hobbies
f you’ve retired from a full-time job,
you may be at a loss for what to do to
fi ll your time.

Some retirees use their newfound
freedom to check stuff off their “to do”
list. But after you’ve seen the sights,
visited relatives, caught up on your
reading list and organized your home,
what’s next? It may be just the perfect
time to pick up an old hobby, continue
one you’re already experienced with or
even try something new.

The Health Benefi ts of Hobbies
Besides being an activity where the
main goal is doing something you enjoy,
having a hobby can positively impact
your life. Some examples include:
Stress relief: Doing a pleasurable
activity can help you relax and take your
mind off other things in your life.

A sense of purpose: The more you
learn while doing your hobby, the more
satisfi ed you’ll be with your progress
and have a sense of accomplishment. A
hobby can also give you something to
look forward to doing.

Explore new frontiers: A hobby
allows you to enjoy the process of
learning something new without feeling
discouraged if you’re not good at it
right away. It can also encourage you
to venture out of your comfort zone by
picking something that challenges you
in new ways.

Discover hidden talents: Until you try
something, you’re never sure what you
can do. A hobby can help you discover
something you’re good at.

Earn additional income: You could
fi nd you’re good at something others will
pay you to do.

Improved self-confi dence: Learning
something new and pushing your limits
to achieve things you might not have
thought were possible can give you a
feeling of being able to do anything.

Gain new perspectives: By taking up
a hobby, you’re certain to be exposed to
new opinions, ideas and ways to look at
life. You could even make new friends.

Improved memory and mood: Craft
hobbies like sewing and beading can
improve your focus to help ward off
depression and memory loss. In addition,
doing something because you want to
do it can create excitement that can
carry over into other areas of your life.

18 JANUARY 5, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT
Hobbies to Consider
If you’re looking for some ideas for hob-
bies after retirement, here are a few
suggestions to get you started.

Travel: Stay close to home or visit
faraway places. Once you pick a spot,
there are a lot of online resources to help
you fi nd things to do, sites to visit and
places to stay that can accommodate a
variety of budgets.

Volunteer: Whether once a week or
every day, volunteering can enrich your
life while making a diff erence in the lives
of people in your community. Check
with local libraries, schools, hospitals
and nonprofi t organizations that cater to
Pixabay I
Stefanie Smith | Special to the JE



causes you’re passionate about.

Arts and crafts: Try new artistic and
creative endeavors or perfect ones
you’ve enjoyed all your life. Some
arts and crafts ideas include paint-
ing, making jewelry, knitting, quilting,
pottery, woodworking, stained glass and
gardening. The performing arts: If you want
hands-on involvement, call some local
community theaters and community
centers to see what opportunities exist.

If you’d rather enjoy it from a seat in the
audience, connect with your friends to
see a weekly or monthly performance.

Clubs and associations: There are
several local and national clubs and
associations that can provide you with
fun and engaging activities. A quick
internet search or visit to your local
community center is a great start.

Exercise: You could try a low-impact
exercise routine like walking, swimming,
yoga or tai chi to get in shape or help
you stay in shape. Of course, make
sure to talk to your health care provider
before beginning any workout routine.

Cooking: Find
inspiration in
cookbooks, magazines or online cooking
videos, and then try some recipes that
appeal to you. You can also surprise
neighbors by making baked goods.

Teach: Adult education programs
are frequently looking for part-time
evening instructors. You can teach a
younger generation about your previous
profession or one of your hobbies.

Connect with family: Invite your family
over more often or offer to babysit your
grandchildren so your kids can have
some time to themselves.

Whichever hobby you choose, remem-
ber that it’s about staying active and
having fun. ■
Stefanie Smith is the executive direc-
tor of Clarendale Arcadia senior
residences in Phoenix.

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