It’s common for a person to sit down and realize they feel unsatisfied with their day-to-day life. This can be especially true for seniors who may be isolated from their families or are no longer working. Having interests and hobbies can certainly be the key to living a rich and fulfilling life.
If you are a senior on a fixed income, it can be daunting when you consider starting a new hobby. After all, it takes funds to have fun, but there are ways to do it without going broke. In the end, having a hobby you love is worth the financial investment. Having a hobby:
● Relieves stress
● Promotes mindfulness
● Gives you a break
● Offers new challenges
● Encourages exploration
● Helps improve career performance
● Prevents time wasted
● Helps you grow spiritually
● Builds self-esteem
● Enriches perspective
● Improves memory
● Promotes eustress
● Maintains health
● Wards off symptoms of depression
● Helps you sleep better
● Encourages socialization
● Builds patience
● Makes you more interesting
The following hobbies have all these benefits plus more. We’ve included some helpful advice on how to get started and save money so you can live better for less.
Learn to Play an Instrument
Learning to play an instrument -- even later in life -- is one of the best things you can do for your brain. Music activates different parts of the brain and improves functions including memory, reading comprehension, and math skills. When you learn to play an instrument, you become more creative and less stressed. Playing an instrument even has physical benefits as it enhances coordination and improves the respiratory system. Finally, like all hobbies, learning to play music provides you with a sense of accomplishment.
Buying an instrument costs a pretty penny, but if you are just starting out it’s only the first of expenses. Finding a tutor, buying accessories, and commuting to lessons will all add up as well. When looking for an instrument, avoid financing plans. These are simply ways for stores to make more money off of you by charging you interest in the long run. Instead, look for gently used instruments, price check competing stores, or even consider renting until you’re sure you want to commit to an instrument.
Gardening
Gardening is a great hobby for seniors. It offers an excellent chance to get outside and provides physical and mental health benefits. If you have enough room in your yard, you can start your own small home garden, but don’t overlook community gardens. They’re a fun way to give back to your community while getting in some social time.
Embrace Your Inner Artist
Painting, sculpting, drawing, collaging -- whichever way you want to express yourself, embracing your inner artist is a great way to spend free time. Creating art relieves stress, improves your imagination, and increases empathy and self-esteem. You can save money by taking advantage of great discounts on supplies at stores like Hobby Lobby. But don’t forget the power of using found objects to make something. Using an item or items you already have on hand provides you with parameters for a project, which can be very helpful if you’re stumped for creative inspiration because constraints drive genius.
Get Centered with Meditation
If you want a hobby that improves your life without costing a cent, there is no better option than meditation. Some of the most successful people on earth meditate daily. Among meditation’s countless benefits, it’s a great way to train your brain to stay in the moment, relieve stress, and improve your focus overall. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you a thing.
Make it a Business
Venturing out into new hobbies may make you more than just happy and refreshed. You could find yourself wanting to take it to the next level by turning it into a full or part-time business. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in in, you’ll have to decide which kind of business structure you plan on forming. Some options include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, and small corporation. We recommend choosing an LLC since it protects your personal finances and allows your business room for growth. There is a lot of paperwork involved though, so if you want to get things started sooner it may be a good idea to hire an online filing service to kick things off.
If you sometimes feel like your life could have more, it may be beneficial to pick up a new hobby. While the financial investment may be off-putting, the benefits are worthwhile. Whether you want to play a new instrument or tap into your inner Van Gogh, look for discounts online to save money. Or, try a completely free hobby like meditation that you can do anytime and anywhere.
If daily struggles are keeping you from your favorite hobbies, Aroga Home Care Services can help. Call (704) 319-5500 or email us at BELA@AROGACARE.COM.