Learn Why Hobbies Improve Health During National Hobby Month
National Hobby Month falls in January, as it’s the perfect time to engage in new activities or return to former interests. Did your mom use to love painting or drawing? Did your dad enjoy refinishing furniture he’d find for free on the side of the road?
There’s no reason they couldn’t enjoy those favorite hobbies. They may need a helping hand, but hobbies help with mental and physical health. Learn why hobbies are so important as you age.
They Can Bring In Extra Cash
Home Care Assistance Fairfax, VA: National Hobby Month
Your parents live on a fixed income, so they don’t often splurge on extras. If their hobby creates products that others desire, they could sell some of those items for extra income.
Suppose your dad loves to make bird feeders from plastic bottles and scrap wood. He could sell those birdfeeders at craft sales. The money he earns becomes extra spending money.
They Ease Stress
When people engage in a hobby, it helps ease stress. It redirects the mind from things that are worrying or bothering them. If your mom and dad are frustrated, a hobby can help them reduce that frustration by shifting their focus for a while.
They Exercise the Hands and Body
Some hobbies offer excellent ways to get exercise. Making bread from scratch works out the muscles and joints in the hands while kneading the dough. Photography gets people outside and walking around, which is a great way to enjoy the fresh air and sun while also getting exercise.
They Help With Cognitive Health
Many hobbies give the brain a workout, too. Assembling a model requires attention to detail, reading skills, and reasoning skills as your parents put pieces together. Painting or sketching requires them to take a mental image and transfer it to paper or canvas.
They Provide a Break From the Routine
Hobbies provide people with a break from the norm. When days all follow the same pattern, a break is an excellent way to stay interested and avoid boredom. Instead of getting up, showering, eating, going for a walk, and shifting the afternoon’s to-do list, your parents can get up, have their meal, and stop everything to do a crossword together. That break can be fantastic at helping you feel engaged and active.
Do your parents need encouragement to stay active? Would it help them by having home care assistance services to help them get organized and enjoy their loved activities? An expert in home care assistance can help you make the arrangements.