Suzanne Marlatt Stewart
In a recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers attempted to harmonize the measures for hobby engagement and its association with mental health among adults over 65 using five longitudinal studies across 16 countries and examined the variations in these associations.
Background
With the growing aging population worldwide, factors such as loneliness, deteriorating physical and mental health, and social isolation are becoming more apparent. Statistics from the United Nations indicate that the 65-year-old and older population is growing faster than any other age group, and one in six people worldwide will be older than 65 by 2050. Engagement in social activities is thought to improve mental well-being, and the pursuit of hobbies is believed to increase mental and cognitive stimulation while providing social support.
The following results were documented by Dr. Chinta Sidhartthan.
About the Study
“The current study used data from five linear studies conducted in England, Japan, the United States, China, and 12 European countries and examined associations between improvements or changes in mental health and hobby engagement. The combined dataset consisted of responses from over 90,000 participants, with an average age of 71.7 to 75.9 years.
The study analyzed mental well-being across four measures—self-reported health, life satisfaction, happiness, and depressive symptoms.
Results
The results showed that engaging in hobbies was associated with a lower incidence of depressive symptoms and higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and self-reported health among adults above the age of 65.
One study from the Society of Behavioral Medicine suggests that people who take part in leisure activities have fewer negative emotions and are less stressed. The study even found that your heart rate is literally lower when you engage in hobbies.
Psychology professor and columnist Jaime Kurtz, Ph.D., writes “If you’re one of the people stuck in the habit of wasting time, hobbies can help break the dead-end routine. Active leisure can promote that feeling of losing yourself in doing, and that “flow” is one of the things worthy of putting on the schedule.”
“The relationship between hobbies and wellbeing may cut both ways—that people with better mental health may be more likely to take up a hobby, and persisting with a hobby may help us to retain improved life satisfaction,” notes Dr. Karen Mak, Lead Author, UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care.
There are many possibilities right here in our own community if you want to pursue a certain hobby. Consider painting, pottery, photography, card making, knitting, quilt making, acting, wood carving, hula dancing, singing, jewelry making, gardening … just to name a few.
Find your passion and pursue that hobby you would enjoy. Plus, an added benefit, you will connect with others who share the same interest. Let your creativity flow, you may be surprised. Also attend some community arts and craft shows, and you may get some ideas.
Rev. Suzanne, a resident of SaddleBrooke, is an independent writer and speaker. She was ordained nondenominational, representing all faiths, and her focus is inclusivity. Email her at [email protected].