Active Aging Presented by Public Health Seattle-King County
We’ve all spent decades learning for a variety of reasons, and entering retirement or older age is no reason to stop. The holiday season is the perfect time to start new hobbies that can help you stay active and engaged while you explore new pursuits related to the special foods, music, and crafts that this season offers.
Importance of Lifelong Learning
There is ample evidence that learning new skills has vital benefits for mental and physical health. It can delay the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, offset cognitive decline, and improve memory. Some evidence even suggests that every year of education can add half a year to your lifespan. Outside cognitive benefits, engaging with new skills is wonderful for emotional well-being. You’ll feel engaged and can have more interesting conversations with new and old social circles.
According to Johnson & Wales University, lifelong learning comes in many forms. It can:
- Be formal learning from experts or casual learning alongside peers
- Take place in a classroom or out in the world
- Involve new technologies or focus on basic skills
- Be for the pursuit of money or simply for fun.
Hobbies and New Skills
While any time of year offers opportunities for learning new skills and staying sharp, the holiday season is especially inviting. Many community centers offer seasonal classes, you’ll be spending more time indoors, and you can use your new skills to make decorations and gifts perfect for this time of year!
Embroidery, Crochet, and Sewing
The colder months create the perfect backdrop for staying inside to learn a new skill and practice in the warmth of your home. Whether or not you learned to work with textiles growing up, adopting sewing/embroidery/crocheting/knitting as a hobby in your retired years is beneficial for many reasons. The repetitive work doesn’t require intense focus, but your mind will stay engaged and active. If you learn quickly enough, try to create a seasonal decoration for your home. New throws, pillow covers, and table runners add a special touch of holiday charm this time of year.
Holiday Baking and Cooking
Special recipes for the season are a staple in most households, but what about learning new traditional dishes from other families? Baking and cooking are hobbies that can be as simple or intricate as you’d like. Even if you already know the basics, pick up a holiday edition of a cookbook or magazine to try exciting new dishes. You can even challenge yourself to use some of the unusual seasonal ingredients at your local international market.
Calligraphy
Taking up the art of calligraphy requires focus, precision, and practice. But with a little bit of hard work, you can design lovely lettering in no time. You can find instructional books at the local library or follow online tutorials to help you get started. Handmade gifts for friends and family are a great reason to show off your new skills. Create a set of hand-calligraphed note cards, a bedside calendar, or even a personalized recipe book for the special people in your life.
Woodworking
This hobby is enjoying a resurgence among all age groups lately, so why not join the trend? Woodworking is the perfect fireside activity during the winter (that also translates well to those summer trips to the lake). All you need to start is a good whittling knife and a piece of wood, though many people like to buy beginners’ kits for special tools. Try carving unique gifts for your family or making useful household tools like a spice rack or shelf to display your holiday décor.
Singing and Theater
The holidays are the perfect time of year to try your hand at performing! With so many local churches, theaters, and community groups putting on seasonal productions, there are lots of roles to fill. Performance hobbies engage your creative side along with a physical outlet, so these activities are an excellent way to promote a healthy lifestyle as well. These are also perfect hobbies for anyone who has limited dexterity or vision and needs to avoid some of the more detail-oriented crafts. And we could all use a little extra movement during the colder holiday season!
Painting and Drawing
Drawing and painting require you to look at the world in new ways and be open to your own creative voice. Take this time to learn traditional art techniques from the masters through online courses or just experiment on your own. Draw a childhood holiday scene from your memory as a keepsake to pass down to your grandchildren, or head outside and paint the winter landscape at your favorite nature getaway.
Whether you choose to renew your interest in old favorites or pick up an entirely new skill, your holiday learning is the perfect way to make the most of this special season.
Active Aging is presented by Public Health- Seattle & King County. Public Health- Seattle & King County recognizes the important and untold stories of innovation, service, and sacrifice by the Black community and supports efforts to improve equity and achieve social justice. We want everyone to get health insurance and access health care. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/health for health insurance, flu and COVID-19 testing locations.
