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The Science Behind the Hobbies Domain

  • Marie-Chantal Ross
  • Oct 19
  • 2 min read
Older adults playing chess
Older adults playing chess

Why Hobbies Matter for Healthy Aging


Around the world, scientists are discovering that hobbies are not just pastimes—they’re powerful health promoters. Engaging regularly in meaningful leisure activities is linked to longer life expectancy, better memory, stronger physical function, and higher life satisfaction.Recent multinational studies (2024–2025) show that older adults who keep up with hobbies, from gardening and crafting to playing games or volunteering, experience up to a 30% lower risk of death compared to those who do not engage in hobbies. In some countries, researchers estimate that one in four deaths could be prevented if every older adult pursued a hobby they enjoy regularly (Guo & Yang 2025).


The Cognitive and Emotional Benefits


Hobbies train the brain in ways that medicine cannot.Cognitive engagement—through creative, strategic, or hands-on activities—builds “cognitive reserve,” the brain’s ability to compensate for age-related decline. Studies show that older adults who play word games, paint, or garden perform significantly better on memory and attention tests and face a reduced risk of developing dementia by as much as 22% (Tomioka et al. 2023; Kim et al. 2024).


Hobbies also protect mental health. A 2023 analysis of older adults in 16 countries found that hobby engagement consistently reduces depressive symptoms and increases life satisfaction, regardless of culture or income level (Fancourt et al. 2023).


The Physical and Social Dimensions


Creative or physical hobbies improve balance, mobility, and even sleep quality.Older adults who garden, sew, or participate in group exercise report fewer daily-living difficulties and better overall fitness eight years later (Bone et al. 2024).But the biggest secret? Social connection amplifies every benefit.Sports, clubs, and group volunteering combine physical movement with friendship and purpose, one reason tennis players, for instance, live nearly 10 years longer on average than peers who exercise alone (Schnohr et al. 2018).

The Deeper Meaning: Purpose and Joy


Having a hobby isn’t just about staying busy, it’s about staying human. Hobbies offer a sense of identity, agency, and creativity that keeps life meaningful. They strengthen emotional resilience, reduce stress hormones, and nurture a mindset of curiosity and gratitude—all vital for maintaining wellbeing in later years.


Implications for Aging Well


The research is clear:


  • Even monthly creative activity can yield measurable health gains.

  • Starting in midlife builds long-term resilience.

  • Socially connected hobbies multiply physical and emotional benefits.

  • And it’s never too late—benefits appear even when new hobbies begin after retirement.



Key References


Guo Y. & Yang F. (2025). Journal of Global Health, 15, 14181.

Tomioka K. et al. (2023). Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 93(2), 637–647.


Kim J. P. et al. (2024). Journal of Cognitive Enhancement.


Bone J. K. et al. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 1499.


Fancourt D. et al. (2023). Nature Medicine, 29, 2233–2240.


Schnohr P. et al. (2018). Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(12), 1841–1850.*

 


 
 
 

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