When entering their well-deserved retirement, some seniors fully retire, while others choose to remain employed and take on a part-time or mini-job. Nevertheless, one suddenly has so much free time that can be shaped and spent according to one's own preferences. One can finally pursue hobbies without restrictions or even find completely new ones. Leisure activities contribute to well-being and can also prevent numerous diseases. In this guide, we have compiled many possible hobbies that keep you fit in old age, make you happy, and also give you new self-confidence!
The most popular hobbies
Undoubtedly, the favorite hobby of Germans is gardening¹. Since the Corona pandemic at the latest, gardening has increased significantly. However, if you look at hobbies by age group and consider the 60plus generation, it becomes clear that older people prefer to spend their time in front of the TV, followed by listening to the radio and reading newspapers. These hobbies are often pursued while sitting or lying down – and that promotes numerous diseases in old age!
Seniors spend an average of 10 hours a day sitting or lying down. This significantly increases the risk of obesity and heart disease.
Most seniors aged 65 and older spend an average of 10 hours a day sitting or lying down – this significantly increases the risk of obesity and heart disease. Sports are particularly well suited to find a balance and reduce these risks. Whether it's swimming, bowling, or strength training in the gym, what matters is staying active. Perhaps you should rethink your hobbies now and try something new.
A classic – Gardening
Gardening is a popular leisure activity across all age groups. Gardening is an excellent pastime and even addictive! Working in the fresh air is relaxing and can even significantly lower blood pressure. Be sure to take enough breaks while gardening to avoid overexertion and drink enough in between – because physical work can really exhaust you.
You can let your creativity run wild, design flower beds, and even plant vegetables. If you are physically limited or suffer from back pain, you can adapt your garden to be senior-friendly, for example, by designing a raised bed. Afterwards, you can admire your own work and relax with a cup of tea or coffee.
Fit in the garden - seniors at work.
Pure relaxation – Reading
When it comes to reading, do you immediately think of the school literature from back then that didn't interest you at all and rather led to a rejection of books? This is very regrettable, because now you have the opportunity to choose a book according to your interests, discover fascinating worlds, and lose yourself in stories.
Choosing a hobby is, of course, a personal matter, but you should consider that reading brings many advantages. Reading helps reduce stress, promotes mental fitness, and thus also concentration. In addition, you can expand your vocabulary and writing skills through reading. And last but not least, reading is a flexible hobby – you can do it and leave it without too much effort.
A good book and a cozy place, the perfect combination for seniors to pursue their passion for reading.
So instead of reading the newspaper alone, how about a book, and that too in a group? Book clubs, where avid readers meet and choose, read, and discuss books together over coffee and cake, are now abundant. Reading keeps the brain fit and promotes regular exchange with like-minded people. Is there no book club near you? Then start your own with your friends, acquaintances, and family members. The diversity of the group composition and the coming together of different generations makes it even more exciting and elevates the exchange to a completely new level.
You don't know any bookworms? No panic – especially since the Corona pandemic, digital book clubs have flourished particularly well. Here, Buchclub – Zeit zum Lesen, you can join an existing literary circle. If you like to volunteer, you also have the opportunity to become a reader or reading mentor and pass on your passion for reading to children. In many cities, there are initiatives that train and place volunteer readers. Find out more!
Try something new – Cooking
Do you finally have enough time and want to try new recipes? Cookbooks and numerous websites provide you with the necessary inspiration for new dishes. Of course, you can also cook something tried and true that you enjoyed as a child or something that reminds you of certain moments.
Healthy eating and the joy of cooking - perfect conditions for a delicious meal!
Healthy eating not only has benefits for one's well-being and physical health but also often brings us together with our loved ones. Who doesn't love Sunday dinner at grandma's? Afterwards, playing Monopoly or puzzling is the perfect pastime with a social factor! A great hobby, we think.
Sports for retirees
The saying "He who rests, rusts!" applies to both the mind and the body. Regular exercise in old age is particularly important and demonstrably contributes to a longer life expectancy.
Healthy eating, plenty of exercise, and mental training can work wonders and prevent numerous diseases or alleviate existing complaints. Those who perceive their bodies positively increase their self-confidence.
In addition to strength and endurance, certain sports also train balance and coordination. Once you have found a sport that you enjoy, physical activity becomes much easier. The selection of sporting leisure activities is huge. Many gyms and clubs offer trial trainings or taster courses that help you find the right hobby. Sometimes you just have to jump over your own shadow and try something new. At this point, we present some sports, perhaps there is something for you too.
Nordic Walking
Nordic walking is characterized by brisk walking and the use of special poles. This alternative to jogging keeps you fit in old age without overexertion and is the ideal sport for seniors. Fast walking in the fresh air promotes blood circulation and gets the circulation going, strengthens the cardiovascular system, and thus reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. Nordic walking also relieves tension in the shoulder and neck muscles, is suitable for people with back and knee problems, and is even a preventive measure against osteoporosis. Up to 90% of the body's muscles are activated during Nordic walking. This leads to a relatively high calorie consumption, which helps to lose excess weight. Nordic walking is the ideal fall prevention!
Fit and active in old age - seniors Nordic walking!
Yoga
A trendy sport that knows no age! Yoga is an ideal and proven form of exercise that can be learned and practiced at any age. More energy, vitality, and last but not least, more joy of life and self-confidence are some positive effects. The slow and mindful movements can be easily adapted to the needs of seniors and, according to studies, have a double effect on mind and body.
Flexibility and relaxation in old age - seniors doing yoga!
Those who, due to physical limitations, can no longer or do not want to practice yoga on the mat can try chair yoga as a good way to try this form of movement and enjoy the benefits of yoga.
Swimming
Those who enjoy being in the water should opt for swimming. It is particularly gentle on the joints – only about one-seventh of the body weight rests on the joints. Swimming engages all muscles and is an ideal full-body workout for people of all ages. Strengthening your muscles can benefit you in everyday life – you can effortlessly lift everyday objects, are more stable on your feet, and simply feel better. A nice side effect of senior swimming is fat burning, which helps shed excess pounds. Like other sports, swimming contributes to an improvement in one's mental state by reducing stress hormones.
Strength Training
"Oh, strength training is only for young people and especially a gym!" - Not true! More and more people over 40 have made fitness their hobby and regularly visit a gym. A significant portion of those over 70 also lift weights - it's never too late to start strength training! This is proven by the increasingly common so-called "Granfluencers" who only start senior sports at 70 or later and achieve incredible success. Numerous gyms are now well equipped for Best Agers. With a trained coach, seniors can be optimally supervised and even start a sporty life at 60+. Of course, one should have a thorough medical examination beforehand. If there are no medical reasons against physical activity, the older generation should certainly train very intensively.
Slightly less than half of gym-goers are 40 years and older. 1.28 million seniors who lift weights are even over 70 years old. It's never too late to start strength training.
Progressive strength training with loads up to 90% of maximum strength can counteract sarcopenia. However, it's not just exercises with strength machines or dumbbells that should be on the plan. As part of senior sports, bodyweight exercises can supplement the training plan and bring variety!
"Strengthen your muscles and improve your mobility - strength training for seniors!
However, there are a few rules older people should follow when starting a fit life:
-
older people should have regular medical check-ups
-
regardless of age, strength athletes should always listen to their bodies and not overexert themselves
-
ideally, consult a personal trainer
-
pay attention to safety on the gym equipment
The benefits of strength training as a hobby for physical and mental fitness are enormous. Strengthening the supporting muscles is a very effective prevention against falls in old age. Particularly interesting for women - as it stimulates the improvement of bone density and thus provides a preventive measure for osteoporosis, which predominantly affects women in old age. Strength training strengthens the entire cardiovascular system and prevents or improves age-related diseases such as arteriosclerosis or high blood pressure. A perfect leisure activity for seniors.
For more safety – Gardia Emergency Bracelet
With the innovative Gardia emergency bracelet, you no longer have to worry about your safety and can pursue your hobbies without a care. In an emergency, you will be automatically or by pressing a button connected to your loved ones or a professional emergency call center. See for yourself and order your new emergency call system now. If you are not satisfied, you can return the Gardia emergency bracelet to us free of charge within 14 days and receive your money back.
