When I retired from the plant, I figured I'd finally have time to keep my mind sharp. So I bought a thick book of crossword puzzles. I did one every morning with my coffee. After six months, I was very good at crossword puzzles. That's about all I was very good at.
Then Cindy signed us both up for a beginner square dancing class at the community center. I grumbled the whole drive there. I stepped on three people's feet in the first ten minutes. By the end of the hour, I was laughing, sweating, and trying to remember whether "allemande left" meant left or right.
Well, folks, that class did more for my brain than a year of crosswords. And there's a good reason why.
What kinds of hobbies help keep your brain sharp?
The activities that seem to help most have a few things in common. They're a little challenging, they involve other people, they get you moving, and you actually enjoy them. Learning something new stretches your thinking. Being with people keeps you connected. Moving keeps your body and brain healthier. And enjoying it means you'll keep doing it.
Puzzles are fine, and they beat sitting in front of the TV. But once you're good at them, they stop being much of a challenge. The trick is to keep doing things that feel a little bit new.
What are some easy hobbies to try?
In plain words, here are six easy hobbies in three groups. Learning hobbies: pick up an instrument, like a used ukulele or keyboard, or learn a language with a free app for ten minutes a day. Social hobbies: join a weekly card game or book club, or sign up for a volunteer shift where people count on you. Moving hobbies: try gardening, which mixes planning with digging, or dancing, which combines learning steps with good exercise.
The best hobbies mix two or three of these at once. A dance class is learning, social, and moving all together. So is a walking group that tries a new trail each month.
Why do social hobbies matter so much?
Regular time with other people is good for your whole health, not just your mood. The CDC describes social connection as having relationships that give us support and a sense of belonging. A hobby with a regular group builds that without any extra effort. You show up, and people notice if you don't.
And don't skip the moving part. The National Institute on Aging recommends a mix of aerobic, strength, and balance exercise for older adults. Cindy's post on adding strength and balance after 60 is a good companion to any moving hobby.
How do I actually get started?
In plain words, three steps. Pick one hobby that makes you think, "I always wanted to try that." Start at the easiest beginner level possible, like three chords on a ukulele or one tomato plant. Then put it on your calendar at the same time every week, so it becomes a habit instead of a someday.
Check your community center, library, or senior center for beginner classes, which are often free or cheap. If getting there is hard, try something at home: a video call book club, an online class, or writing down a family story. Our guide to free tech classes counts as learning too.
Am I too old to learn something new?
No. You might learn a little slower than a teenager, and that's fine. The point isn't to become an expert. It's to spend time being a beginner, which is exactly what keeps your mind working. Being bad at something new is not failing. It's the whole idea.
Where I'm at now
A year later, Cindy and I still go to square dancing every Thursday night. I can finally tell a do-si-do from a promenade, most of the time. I also picked up a used ukulele at a garage sale for $25 and can play four songs badly, which our grandkids find hilarious. The crossword book is holding up a short table leg in the garage. It's never been more useful.
Pick one thing this week, folks. Start small, and let yourself be a beginner.
What's a hobby you've always wanted to try? Tell us in the comments. Maybe this is the year.
