Psychology: This habit helps us stay happy as we age

psychology
This habit helps us stay happy as we age

There are many things we can look forward to as we get older: We will have more time for ourselves and for the things that bring us joy when we no longer have to work. We become more relaxed in many situations and our life experience makes it easier for us to deal with difficult topics. We have more peace of mind and generally no longer have to stress ourselves every day to meet the countless demands of life’s rush hour.

But there are also risks to our mental health as we age: the risk of depression increases with age, and some people feel lonely and isolated. That’s why it’s even more important in this phase of life to actively do something for your mental health. A study examined what helps people reduce the risk of depression in old age and be happier overall. The simple answer: hobbies.

Study: Hobbies as a booster for our mental health

The researchers have for their Meta-analysis of a total of five studies examined data from more than 90,000 people aged 65 and over from 16 different countries. They have placed a particular focus on leisure activities for seniors. The team was able to find quite clearly in the data that hobbies not only greatly reduce the risk of depression and its symptoms in older people, but also make them happier, (according to their own statements) healthier and more satisfied with their lives.

Even after the researchers included variables such as relationship status, income and job, the correlation between a hobby and satisfaction was still very clear.

That’s why hobbies make us happier

The lead author of the study, Dr. Karen Mak, from University College London, confirmed that active leisure activities and hobbies can protect people from the mental side effects of aging: “Life satisfaction was most strongly correlated with hobbies.” She further explained that hobbies can help make us happier through various mechanisms. According to the scientist, these include a feeling of control over body and mind, a sense of purpose and meaning, and the feeling of being able to cope with the everyday demands of life.

Another exciting discovery from the study: The countries where people are more likely to pursue a hobby showed an overall increased life expectancy and higher satisfaction in the general population.

In short: If we have hobbies that fulfill us, give us joy and help us stay mentally fit, it makes us happier – especially in the later years of our lives. And it doesn’t matter whether these hobbies are crafts, reading, gardening, playing bingo or painting watercolors.

Sources used: mindbodygreen.com, nature.com

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Bridget