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The Benefits of Gentler Hobbies By Natalie Schriefer
The research highlights a few beneficial hobbies — all "gentler" activities like gardening, crafts and social clubs. This is unlike most "healthy hobbies" lists, which often focus on intense physical activity like tennis or ballroom dance. This focus on intensity might be lessening: Multiple studies have recently looked into the benefits of gentler hobbies. A second 2023 Harvard study linked five less intense hobbies with successful aging: gardening, reading, watching TV or listening to the radio, participating in social activities and playing cards or other games. Out of more than 7,000 older adults, those with these five hobbies tended to be more physically active, have better mental health and have higher cognitive function, compared to those with few or none of these hobbies. A 2020 Japanese study linked certain hobbies to decreased dementia risk. Over six years, they surveyed more than 50,000 adults over age 65 and found that travel and playing ground golf (a Japanese game that's a cross between golf and mini golf) lowered dementia risk for men and women. The researchers also noted that "the risk of dementia was lower as the number of hobbies increased." Finally, a 2023 Australian study found that engagement with the arts benefited older adults' mental health. This could include anything from creating art oneself to experiencing others' art at an event like a concert or an exhibition. One of the researchers recommended that adults who want to engage with the arts "take part in the art form that makes them feel good."
Google anything related to health and well- being and your search will turn up generic recommendations. These will range from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate dietary resources to the CDC's suggested 150 minutes of weekly activity. You may also find academic studies, like Harvard's recent news brief discussing the importance of hobbies for older adults. Harvard's brief details a 2023 study. Examining nearly 100,000 adults over age 65, the researchers found that participants who engaged in hobbies had higher life satisfaction than those who did not.
Examining nearly 100,000 adults over age 65, the researchers found that participants who engaged in hobbies had higher life satisfaction than those who did not.
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AUGUST 2025
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