Collaborative post
A recent study by Hampshire-based life insurance broker Reassured has revealed the most popular hobbies for UK retirees.
They conducted the research after establishing that Google searches for the term ‘hobbies for retirees’ had increased by 52% over the past year. They wanted to provide some insight to help answer this query.
Reassured, who specialise in providing over 60 life insurance, surveyed 1,000 men and women who have left the workplace and are looking for new exciting ways to fill their free time.
This is what they found…
Gardening is number 1
Gardening was at the top of the list as the most popular hobby for retirees, with an impressive 35% of those polled saying it was their favourite thing to do.
Gardening has long been recognised as a healthy activity that can really help you to relax and release stress. In fact, according to a study by Psych Central, people over the age of sixty who garden could lower their risk of developing dementia by 36%.
Was there a difference between men and women?
No, gardening was ranked as the number one hobby in the study for both men and women.
Country walks/hiking takes 2nd place
Coming second in the survey was country walking/hiking, with 30% of respondents stating this was their favourite activity.
The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other can have huge health benefits, both physically and mentally. According to a study by the Mayo Clinic, those who take regular brisk walks could live up to twenty years longer than those who don’t walk regularly.
Aside from the physical benefits, walking or hiking can be a great social activity too. This could be especially beneficial if you are living alone during your retirement.
What other hobbies were identified in the findings?
The third most popular hobby for retirees was to read during retirement. Whether it’s a crime novel that helps transport you to a different place, or a “How to” book to help educate yourself, spending newfound free time with a good book is a popular choice among retirees.
In fourth place was travelling, whether that be in the UK or abroad. Obviously, this activity is more dependent on having the necessary finances than the hobbies listed above, but travelling can be a great way to spend your retirement years. There’s a wide range of seniors group package holidays on the market, providing a great way of meeting new people who are at a similar stage of life.
Interestingly, cooking was in fifth position in the study. For many of us these days, with our lives running at 100mph, meals are often a case of throwing something together between finishing work and collecting the children. However, retirees with more time on their hands can view this essential chore as more of a hobby, and explore different cuisines, courses and skills.
Did the hobbies differ between men and women?
As mentioned above, gardening was identified as the favourite hobby for both men and women. But what about the other hobbies listed in the study?
Yes, there was a difference between the genders. For women, the second most popular hobby for retirees was cooking, followed by reading. For men, it was walking/hiking followed by travelling.
This may not be a bad thing. If you’re not used to spending all your time with your spouse, then having different hobbies could provide some welcome relief!
The strange hobbies?
The survey did unearth some less likely hobbies, including making homemade wines and going to the pub. Other activities included model railways, caravanning, recording music and family genealogy.
Whatever new hobby you choose to take up or old hobby you revive, it’s important for your mental and physical wellbeing that you consider how you will spend your additional free time.
Emotional health coach, well-being, and self-care expert Vanessa Louise Moore explains;
“There are a huge number of benefits to having a hobby in retirement – upon your mind and body. Whilst it’s crucial to take this well-earned time to rest, often we as humans struggle without a feeling of purpose. Something to look forward to or a project to get your teeth into will wake you up in the mornings with a spring in your step, excited for the day ahead and keeps you physically moving too.”
Moore adds;
“A hobby doesn’t need to be wildly extravagant or unusual, even the simplest of choices such as gardening will provide you with relaxation, a sense of achievement and stress-relief. Taking a class in something you’ve always wanted to try will maintain the social aspect of being around others that you may come to miss when leaving the workplace, it will also boost your confidence and help you explore hidden talents you may never have been able to before.”
If you are in or nearing retirement, we hope this article has given you some good ideas and inspired you to try something new in this exciting life stage.
Top 10 retirement hobbies
- Gardening
- Country walks/hiking
- Reading
- Travelling
- Cooking
- Painting
- Watching movies
- Volunteering
- Playing an instrument
- Swimming
Top 5 retirement hobbies for women
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Reading
- Country walks/hiking
- Travelling
Top 5 retirement hobbies for men
- Gardening
- Country walks/hiking
- Travelling
- Reading
- Cooking
The post New study reveals gardening is the most popular hobby for retirees appeared first on Growing Family.
