As you enter your golden years, it is important to take stock of things, to evaluate what is really important to you. At this point you have earned the right not to sweat the small stuff, and if you’re retired, everything is small stuff! It has been clinically proven that reducing the amount you worry about things can help you live a longer and healthier life, but a new study has proven something else: taking up a hobby or two can be hugely beneficial. This study, conducted by Concordia University, came to the conclusion that cultivating a new hobby can actually boost your brainpower. On top of that, engaging in a hobby seems to stave off depression and possibly even Alzheimer’s.
The science behind this discovery is actually fairly straightforward. At the average age of retirement, we are undergoing a natural reduction on cognitive function. Add to that the fact that when we retire we suddenly have a lot less to worry about it, and suddenly the brain finds itself less occupied. A less busy brain is like a less busy muscle-the more we use a muscle, the stronger it is, and the same is true of our brains. What is so interesting about the study is that it proved that by either dedicating more time to an old hobby or taking up a new one altogether, we can prevent the “brain drain” that usually accompanies aging.
If you are wondering which hobbies are best for improving your brainpower and overall mental health, the good news is that pretty much any hobby can have this beneficial result. The important thing is that you find an activity that you enjoy, maybe even two or three. What could be better than having fun and improving your mental health at the same time?
For some seniors, combining a hobby with exercise is a great way of keeping your body as sharp as your brain. It does not have to be running marathons, either-even a sport like shuffleboard, golf, or swimming can do wonders for you, inside and out. Living an active lifestyle has long been proven to improve your quality of life, but this new study shows it can be even better than previously expected.
Of course, why stop with one hobby? Committing yourself to a certain enjoyable form of exercise can be just one part of your overall plan to keep your brain happy and busy. Whether it is socializing with friends over a game of some sort or working by yourself in a garden, the rewards of picking up new hobbies speak for themselves. If your retirement has led you to independent living in Reading, then you are in luck, because Heritage of Green Hills has a large community of independent-minded residents who love nothing more than sharing their hobbies with new friends.
