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Researchers advise taking steps now to enhance well-being in the future by choosing hobbies for enjoyment, whether alone or with others. Studies have shown that having a favorite pastime makes individuals over 65 feel healthier, happier, and more satisfied with life. Additionally, this is linked to fewer signs of depression.
People with Hobbies Are Happier Than Those Without
Experts say that hobbies can bring joy and purpose to life. Moreover, improving skills can empower some older adults, giving them a greater sense of control over their lives.
A hobby can encompass almost anything done for fun, whether with others or solo. The variety of options ranges from reading and solving crosswords to volunteering or joining a social club.
The findings come from an analysis of 93,263 individuals aged 65 and older. All participants took part in national surveys across 13 European countries, the U.S., China, and Japan, where respondents were asked over several years whether they currently had a hobby or had one in the past, followed by questions about their well-being for a long-term aging study.
Approximately 78% of survey participants reported having a hobby, and they were more likely to say they felt happy the previous day, had a higher level of life satisfaction, and were more likely to report that they were in good or excellent health. In fact, hobbyists reported better health than those without hobbies, even when accounting for their physical ailments.
This study indicates that having a hobby made respondents feel healthier, even when they were unwell. Additionally, those with hobbies showed fewer signs of depression on a brief questionnaire, including questions about feelings of loneliness, sadness, and hopelessness.
Any Hobby Is Beneficial and Enhances Life Satisfaction
In the English survey, participants were not asked about their hobbies. However, in the comprehensive study involving people from all continents, respondents were asked whether they engaged in various hobbies such as reading, playing chess, solving word and number puzzles, gardening, joining sports and social clubs, and participating in charitable activities.
Those who reported these hobbies on an international level also generally had better health, happiness, and life satisfaction. They also exhibited fewer symptoms of depression—both among retirees and those still in the workforce. This suggests that having a hobby can also be beneficial in reducing stress. This was true even after considering other factors that might influence life satisfaction, including financial circumstances and employment.
It’s quite possible that happier individuals tend to have hobbies rather than the other way around. However, as noted by the Daily Mail, statistical analysis showed that in previous surveys, having a hobby was initially linked to better well-being in subsequent surveys.
Lead researcher Karen Mack noted that doctors sometimes recommend activities like dancing, painting, crafting, or spending time outdoors to improve physical and mental health. This hobby research suggests that such advice could indeed be beneficial for some individuals.
As Ms. Mack points out, improving skills in a chosen hobby can empower individuals, leading them to feel greater control over their daily lives and a stronger sense of purpose.
A Healthy Lifestyle Also Fights Depression
According to research, smoking more than doubles the risk of being hospitalized for depression. Researchers studied 337,140 Britons, comparing current smokers with those who had never smoked.
Among men who currently smoke, 8.5% were hospitalized for depression, compared to just 3.5% of men who had never smoked. Among women, 13.2% of smokers were hospitalized for depression, compared to 5.9% of those who had never smoked.
Researchers note that people typically start smoking before the age of 20 but do not end up hospitalized for depression until they are between 30 and 60 years old. Professor Doug Speed pointed out that smoking often precedes mental health issues—indeed, long before they manifest. It’s unclear why, but it may be that smoking causes inflammation in the brain or that nicotine interferes with serotonin, the “happiness hormone,” leading to mental disorders like depression in the long run.
Another study showed that a healthy lifestyle is crucial for preventing depression—regardless of an individual’s genetic risk. Quality sleep lasting 7-9 hours per night was found to reduce the risk of depression by 22% among nearly 290,000 people.
According to another study, frequent social connections, such as meeting with friends and family, are associated with an 18% reduction in the risk of declining mental health. It was also found that abstaining from or moderating alcohol consumption reduces the risk of depression by 11%, healthy eating by 6%, and regular physical activity by 14%.
According to Professor Barbara Saakyan, a healthy lifestyle is potentially vital for better mental health. Good sleep, socializing with friends, and having hobbies are relatively simple things that can truly change people’s lives for the better.
