Seniors who enjoy hobbies are healthier and happier than those who don’t.

While staying active and engaged in life is considered by mental health experts to be essential to good health for both men and women, men generally have a harder time finding or pursuing a hobby later in life.

The risk of depression in older males decreases if they have one or more hobbies. Those statistics become lower still if at least one of those hobbies is physical. This is one reason why senior men need an enjoyable hobby to remain socially active, mentally sharp, and physically healthier.

There’s no single best hobby that all males should pursue. Instead, every man should aspire to pick an activity or hobby that they really enjoy doing or have an interest in learning about. Caregivers can help senior men find and select hobbies to help them stay focused mentally, physically active, and socially engaged.

Physical Activity Ideas for Senior Men 

Staying physically fit and active should be the goal of every individual regardless of their age. Unfortunately, older people often develop health conditions later in life that cause limited mobility. Before embarking on any new physical activity or any active, fun hobby, senior men should clear it with their family physician.

There are many exciting and interesting activities for elderly males that can improve their overall activity levels and thereby promote better overall health and well-being. Here are some of the best hobbies for men in their senior years.

Some fantastic options include:

  • Walking: walking the dog, walking around the neighborhood, or walking indoors at malls and museums
  • Exercise classes
  • Rock climbing
  • Martial arts
  • Gardening
  • Performing stretches/yoga throughout the day
  • Archery
  • Sports: baseball, golf, running marathons, swimming, bicycling, and others
  • Dance class
  • Scuba diving
  • Bird watching
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Woodworking

Remember that these physically more active pursuits can also improve in other life areas like socialization needs, mental clarity, and emotional well-being, often triggered by natural hormones the body makes when performing a physical task.

Strategic Mental Activities

Keeping your mind busy and active in later years is an important task that can keep minds clearer and better focused despite age. There is plenty of evidence that learning new things later in life can preserve and even improve mental focus, clarity, and sharpness.

There are many mental activity ideas that caregivers and senior men can incorporate into their lives to keep mental health good.

Some of these suggested activities include:

  • Playing board games or jigsaw puzzles with friends, grandkids, or themselves
  • Striving to learn one new thing each day
  • Reading
  • Cooking
  • Learning a new language
  • Sitting in on college classes
  • Doing puzzles (crossword, sudoku, etc.)
  • Joining a club (local chess, bird-watching, pottery)
  • Studying or visiting history & historical sites
  • Learning a musical instrument or listening to music

It is important to choose a hobby that interests the person for the best results. The ideal hobby should engage the man’s interest with a reliable creative outlet. It doesn’t have to be a popular hobby, or an expensive hobby, but it should be accessible and enjoyable.

Also, it pays to start slow as skill and endurance increase. Many mental hobby ideas also serve as terrific social outings choices, which is a good way for retired men to find new friends.

Social Activities

Many senior men that have lost their spouses simply stay inside all the time. But socialization is still important for seniors, and trying interesting hobbies is one way to do this.

It is common for elderly men not to have many social engagements or a fun hobby that can boost their self-esteem and moods. However, some phenomenal options in social activity pursuits and hobbies can keep the elder man engaged with his community and peers.

These include:

  • Joining a book club
  • Setting up a ham radio
  • Joining community services
  • Finding a volunteer opportunity
  • Becoming a mentor or coach for young kids or teens
  • Taking on a part-time job
  • Taking senior trips around town or to different destinations
  • Setting up Skype or social media to stay connected with distant family & friends
  • Learning a new game like cards, board games, or flying model drones and airplanes
  • Writing in a journal
  • Sharing family history with younger members
  • Going to concerts, plays, & other community events
  • Visit neighbors & join community groups with other older adults

How Caregivers Can Implement Hobbies

There are some easy ways caregivers can implement leisure activities into their care recipients’ normal routine. One health benefit of physical activity is emotional stability. Many physical hobbies boost your mood, self-esteem, and confidence. In turn, that builds a person’s overall health and emotional well-being.