Hobbies Provide Health Benefits for Seniors

Hobbies are not only a fun way to spend leisure time but can be good for you.  Depending on the type of hobby, they can help to exercise your mind or exercise your body, and some do both.  In addition spending time doing things you enjoy can help you stay more interested in life, and most hobbies do not cost a lot to participate.

Creative hobbies such as painting, crafting, sculpting, woodworking, and photography can be enjoyed at any age.   The performing arts also provide another fun option for people of all ages.  In many communities, you can find a number of amateur or professional theater productions, and there are even theatrical groups geared just for seniors.  

Another great hobby for seniors is swimming.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that swimming offers a number of benefits for aging adults such as decreasing the risk of chronic illness and improving the health of those with heart disease and diabetes.   Also people can exercise longer in water than on land without joint or muscle pain.  In fact swimming can actually help to lessen osteoarthritis pain and improve joint health for seniors suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The CDC also says swimming can decrease depression and help to improve mood in both men and women. 

Yoga and other forms of stretching exercises are becoming more popular with seniors as it can help to improve flexibility and movement as well as to improve blood flow to the brain, heart and circulatory system.  There are many levels of yoga classes including chair yoga for those that are unable to get down on the floor. 

Another hobby that many seniors enjoy is genealogy and family tree scrapbooking.   Finding out more about your family history and putting together important pieces of your family history into a scrapbook or creating a family tree will be something of interest to your children and grandchildren.  This is a good way to organize and display family documents, photographs, memorabilia, awards, citations, and letters into your scrapbook.

* Before starting any physical activity, be sure to check with your doctor. 

Sources: caregiverrelief.com/activities-for-senior-citizens/

cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most respected names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. Currently we have 5 offices and will be adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to make sure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.