YOUR HOBBIES ARE HEALTHY FOR YOU! The Anti-Aging Benefits of Staying Active and Trying New Things
There’s a common saying that often prevents us from trying anything new — especially as we age. This idea that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not only false, but it may also be detrimental to your well-being. Picking up a new hobby or learning something new can have many health benefits. One 10-year-old study linked engaging in hobbies for one or more hours every day with a decreased risk of developing dementia. Today, scientists still don’t knowwhy that happens, but one theory is very promising. Scientists believe your brain is a lot like your muscles. It needs “exercise.” When you learn something new or engage in hobbies, you “exercise” your brain by creating new neural pathways, which could explain why trying something new or engaging in hobbies is so beneficial for your brain. Furthermore, hobbies and learning something new are often associated with social interaction. Writers meet to discuss their plot points, while fellow craftsmen compare their finished pieces on Facebook forums and public meet-ups. This social interaction can be powerful for older adults, who are more susceptible to loneliness and social isolation due to varying factors, like being widowed, their children moving away from home, or mobility issues.
Don’t dismiss being lonely as just a “feeling.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies loneliness and social isolation as a serious health risk for older adults and
estimates that older adults who are isolated increase their dementia risk by 50%. In addition, those who are isolated tend to have more chronic health conditions, like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The research doesn’t lie: Staying active, trying new things, and finding hobbies are good for your health. But how do you go about doing it? Start simple. Is there something you always wanted to try? Do you have an affinity for something? Do you have a friend who could show you something? Finding your late-in-life passion doesn’t have to be overly complex. Try something and keep at it if you enjoy it. If not, try something else.
Whatever you do, your body will thank you for it.
ENGLISH GROUND BEEF PASTIES
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INGREDIENTS
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3/4 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry dough
1 tsp dried parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup beef broth (as needed)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, and potatoes. 3. Roll out the pastry dough into roughly 10-inch circles or squares. 4. Spoon 1/2 of the beef mixture onto each sheet of dough, then top the mixture with parsley, salt, and pepper. 5. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching each pasty shut and tucking in both ends. 6. Transfer the pasties to the prepared
baking sheet, then cut several small slits in each pasty for ventilation. Bake for 45 minutes. 7. Remove the pasties from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 F. Spoon 1 tsp beef broth into each slit, then bake for an additional 15 minutes.
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8. Serve and enjoy!
Inspired by AllRecipes.com.
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