Retired? Get a Hobby!
Before you retired, you probably looked forward to long stretches of unplanned time. Now that you're retired, you may wonder how you're going to fill up all that time. Researchers find that retired people who get involved in hobbies are happier and tend to live longer. Here are some hobbies that may help you to stay healthier longer.
Get Crafty - Scrap booking
Crafts have always been popular hobbies, and there are many stores that can help you find the supplies you need to get started. One of the most popular crafts right now is scrapbooking.
Scrapbookers create books filled with memories, using photos, souvenirs and other objects that play into the theme of the book. A scrapbook for wedding might have lacy streamers, rice and pressed flowers, while a book about a soccer team could have team photo, cutouts of soccer balls and the scores clipped from the local paper. It's easy to make scrapbooks without any special skills. As you do more scrapbooking, you can make your project as simple or as elaborate as you want. You're also capturing precious memories.
There are many other crafts to explore - making stained glass, knitting and needlework, decorating furniture, wood working, and model building, to name just a few. Check out local adult education programs - they offer craft courses to get you started.
How to Make a Scrapbook
Learn about your past - Genealogy
Genealogy is another hobby that is incredibly popular. To trace your family tree, start by gathering all the information you can from your family members about people, dates of birth, and family stories. The Internet and your local library can provide many resources to help you in your search. A lot of public records can now be accessed online - genealogy is no longer about spending time in a dusty records office.
Doing genealogy research has some fun side benefits. In your search, you often meet people who are looking for information about the same people you're researching. You can even meet a distant relative. Many people travel to the significant places in their family history, whether it's the next town over, or a return to the "homeland". There's a special thrill in visiting a place connected with your family.
Basics to Genealogy
Get Involved – Volunteer
Volunteering can be rewarding and sociable. Many organizations need volunteers. If you like working with kids, how about doing some tutoring? If you like to organize things, why not get involved in local government, or work with the Red Cross as a coordinator? Look around - whether it's the local senior center, the historical society, or the food bank, there are organizations that could use your help. Being a volunteer makes you feel useful, and gets you involved in the community. You've got a reason to get going in the morning, and folks to talk with when you get there.
Retired Senior Volunteer Programs
Stay active, Enjoy the outdoors - Golf
Golf is a great retirement hobby to get involved in. This is a relaxed, yet still athletic sport that you can enjoy alone, with a complete stranger, with your significant other, or a friend. If you love the outdoors, spending time with people, and keeping in shape definitely consider Golf as a retirement hobby.
Golf and Retirement
Get Outside, Enjoy Nature - Gardening (New!)
Gardening is a very rewarding retirement hobby you can take on. You can enjoy delicious vegetables or fruits you grow yourself or you can simply enjoy the beauty of the many types of flowers and plants you can grow. Gardening is therapeutic, a great way to get light exercise, can be a possible source of income, and can be enjoyed by anyone. Try gardening is a retirement hobby.
Retirement Gardening
Have Fun
Having hobbies is all about doing something fun. You may need to try a few things before you find the perfect hobby for you. Take the time retirement gives you to find new and fun hobbies. You'll be happy you did.
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