After years of
planning and imagining, you’ve finally retired. You may have spent time
relaxing, traveling and enjoying family time, but if you find that you’re
feeling bored and a bit out of touch, it may be time to explore a new hobby.
Brittany Blue with Sound Generations says
it’s important for older adults to take up a hobby or get involved in
activities so they can stay engaged in their community and with their peer
group.
“Far too often you
see older adults becoming isolated in their older age,” said Blue. “Isolation
leads to loneliness, which can often times lead into depression, malnutrition,
and spiral into a host of chronic disease and health issues. “
Here are some ideas
to get you started:
Book club
If you’re an avid
reader and would like to make this a more social activity, a book club could be
a good fit. To find a group, first consult your local library. The King
County Library System has an online list of book clubs.
Meetup is also a good place to search, and if you’re on Facebook you can search
for groups there. Barnes and Noble stores host
a book club as well.
Urban sketching
Whether you’re a
skilled artist or would like to learn, Urban Sketchers is
for you. USk was started by Seattle Times sketch artist Gabriel Campanario and
has expanded worldwide. Urban sketchers draw on location, indoors or out,
capturing what they see from direct observation. Local chapters host regular
sketching outings and workshops, and USk hosts symposiums everywhere from
Portugal to Hong Kong.
Learn a new language
You’re never too
old to learn a new language. While children may pick up languages
instinctively, adults enjoy the advantage of having greater focus and
purpose. Studies show learning a language is
a great way to give your brain a workout and strengthen cognitive functioning
as you age. You’ll find classes at your local college. You’ll also find online language courses and apps.
Learn to play an instrument
Just like with
language, learning a musical instrument is great for your brain, plus it’s just
plain fun and can be a great opportunity for social gatherings. The ukulele is
inexpensive to buy and is one of the easiest to learn. There are ukulele clubs that
can help you get started. For music instruction, check out your local
college or music store or go online to find a teacher for individual lessons.
Many instructors offer instruction via Skype.
Volunteer
Many nonprofit and
community organizations need help and much of it comes from volunteers. You may
already have skills that can be valuable to an organization, or you
may want to try something completely new. VolunteerMatch offers
information about opportunities in your community. They can help you determine
what type of organization is a good fit for you and how your skills and
interests match.
Go back to school
More than two dozen
Washington state colleges offer programs for retirees and active seniors. For
example, Washington residents 60 years and older may attend University of Washington
courses as auditing students. Seniorresource.com has
a list of institutions that offer programs.
Take a walk
If you like walking
and would like to meet new people, the American Volkssport Association is
a good place to start. The largest walking organization in the United States,
the AVA offers thousands of organized walks. Their aim is to encourage fun,
fitness and friendship for all ages and abilities.
Go birding
Maybe you’ve got a
backyard bird feeder and would like to learn more. The National Audubon Society offers
everything from a bird guide app to an online binocular guide to a database of
native plants that are beneficial for birds. In Washington state there are more
than two dozen chapters, where you’ll find opportunities for field trips and
monthly bird walks.
Hike or bike
The Northwest is a
hiking and biking utopia, and there are clubs and organizations that can help you
get started. REI offers classes, day trips and events for all skill levels. The Cascade Bicycle Club can
help you get started cycling. Cascade offers classes, tours and thousands of
free group rides. You can also check out your local bike shop for information.
Blue said it
doesn’t matter what kind of hobby or activity you choose, the most important
thing is to find something you are passionate about or have a deep interest in.
“Find something you
love because then you’ll stick with it,” she said.