Need some inspiration for cozy activities or new hobbies?
For many, becoming a senior means having more time to delve into leisure activities and hobbies. With the past year marked by a pandemic that has brought loneliness, boredom, and isolation for many, finding meaningful ways to spend your time has become more important than ever.
Here's a list of 10 fantastic ideas for entertaining, social, creative, cognitive, and physical activities—all completely free and doable from the comfort of your own home.
Games
There are plenty of inexpensive games that promise hours of entertainment. If you don't feel like buying a new board game or don't have anyone to play with, try crosswords, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles for a cozy activity.
You can find crosswords and sudoku ready to print here for free.
Crafts
If you're inclined towards creativity, sewing, quilting, crocheting, or embroidery can be both a relaxing and enjoyable activity. There are tons of websites where you can print patterns for free and find fresh inspiration for your next project.
Learn a new language
Ever dreamed of learning a new language? Even if you don't have plans to travel abroad anytime soon, picking up a few phrases or words in a new language can be fun. Who knows, you might impress someone by dropping a sentence in Spanish now and then.
There’s a world of language books available both in libraries and bookstores, but technology offers many other ways to learn a new language. A simple Google search for ‘learn a new language for free’ will yield plenty of great resources—everything from free apps and online language courses to various guides.
Visit museums
Yes, you read that right. You can visit many museums online and take virtual tours, along with enjoying the latest exhibitions right from your living room. Discover:
Simply sit back and be wowed by stunning and unique wonders.
Stay in touch with friends and family
It's always nice to chat with friends and family, so pick up the phone and call a loved one. You can also stay updated on Facebook, write an email, or send a handwritten letter. Utilise Skype or Facetime to see your children and grandchildren on screen. You don't need to meet in person to see their smiles and hear about the fun moments of their daily lives.
Get some exercise
Physical activity is known to promote mental health, increase joy, boost energy levels, and strengthen bones and muscles. No gym or equipment is needed for a good workout. Enjoy a bike ride outdoors, take a refreshing walk, do some exercise routines at home, or try something new. If you have physical limitations, there are numerous aids available to make exercising more comfortable and accessible.
Read a good book
There's something truly special about holding a physical book in your hands. However, if you don't have a good book nearby or can't pick up books from the library, there are plenty of digital options to access exciting new books. Most libraries’ websites allow you to borrow e-books, which are sent to you digitally and can be read on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. For those with visual impairments, reading e-books on these devices might be challenging, but you can borrow books as audiobooks instead. Just sit back, put on your headphones, and enjoy your chosen book being read aloud.
Listen to a podcast
A podcast is an audio experience or program—the new kind of radio. However, you don't listen to a podcast from the radio but from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. These devices, like with e-books, give you access to podcasts.
There are podcasts on every topic imaginable. Some are humorous, others uplifting, and some are informative or educational. The advantage of a podcast is that you can listen to it whenever you wish and pause it whenever you need. All it takes is a program on your smartphone or tablet that plays podcasts. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you already have an app called 'Podcasts' for this purpose. If you have an Android or another smartphone, you need to download an app that can play podcasts, such as the Danish app 'Podimo'.
Now it’s time to browse the countless podcasts and discover which ones you’d like to listen to.
Gardening
Is there anything more satisfying than growing your own vegetables, planting your own flowers, and watching them thrive, or clearing weeds so that all the beds look sharp and inviting? Besides, gardening has the added benefit of being physically stimulating and adding some points to your exercise log. As we move toward brighter days, you'll also (hopefully) enjoy ample vitamin D from the sun's warm rays. To make it extra comfortable or if you need some help after gardening, a gardening stool and other helpful tools can work wonders.
Share your story
Life is full of stories and memories that might easily slip away. Record your best memories, stories, or childhood thoughts on video or write them down in a notebook. Perhaps an old photo album will jog your memory and help document your story. Many family members and future generations would undoubtedly love diving into your memories and learning more about times gone by.
All that's left to say is, have a wonderful time!
