We need leisure activities to live a longer, healthier life, as they give us purpose, and create meaning in our chaotic lives.
Do you feel like life has become just one big long to-do list? Have you ever found yourself thinking back to when you were younger, and you had all of this free time to go and do activities that you love to do with friends? We all have, but unfortunately, with work, errands, family obligations, and financial matters, everything just piles on top of itself leaving very little room for fun and relaxation.
It’s important to remember that leisure activities aren’t just escapes. They are actually lifelines for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. And, it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to reignite your passion for life. Even at 40, you can dive into new hobbies that bring you joy.
So, whether you are 40 or well past it, carving out time for yourself can reignite creativity, reduce your stress levels, and help you reconnect with the things in life that make you happy. Why don’t we take a closer look at 10 leisure activities that can add a bit more sparkle to your life?
Why Leisure Activities Matter
Before we go through our top 10 list, let’s discuss the basics. Why do leisure activities even matter?
It’s important to remember that leisure activities are not just about filling time. Rather they are about finding fulfillment. When you find time to engage in hobbies that you love, it will boost your mental health, improve your emotional resilience, and give you something to look forward to. There have been countless studies that show people who regularly engage in hobbies experience lower stress levels and a greater overall happiness in life.
And, this is something we can really use after 40. After all, once we have spent four decades on the planet, life can quickly feel overwhelming. So, that’s exactly why we need leisure activities. Hobbies will help us to rediscover parts of ourselves that might have been buried under voluminous daily responsibilities
Top 10 Leisure Activities to Try
All right, now without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 leisure activities to give a try.
Gardening: Growing Joy and Relaxation
Yes, you should have guessed that gardening would be at the top of the list. There is something truly magical about digging her hands into the soil and watching something grow from it. But, gardening is more than just growing plants. It is quite literally a form of therapy.
Benefits
Starting a garden has been shown to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and provide you with a form of light exercise. Best of all is that you literally get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. As we age, we need to consume more fruits and vegetables, so why not grow our own?
How to Start
The best part is, that starting a garden doesn’t have to be difficult. You can simply start small with a little windowsill herb garden. From there, you can start adding a few pots of flowers here and there. And then eventually, you can expand into a full garden bed if you actually feel up to it.
Painting or Drawing: Leisure Activities That Tap Into Creativity
Let’s tap into your creativity. Think back to when you were a kid. Don’t you remember just how much fun it was to color? I bet you have seen coloring books at the store and imagine yourself buying some crayons and coloring on all of the pages. Even at 40, you can still be a kid at heart. And, art is just as therapeutic to an adult as it is to a child. The best part is, that you do not have to be a Picasso to enjoy it. Just painting or drawing nothing can add more meaning to your life.
Benefits
Without question, painting and drawing both boost creativity. They also help to improve focus, and they provide you with a healthy outlet for stress. For people who are predisposed to Alzheimer’s, boosting creativity can actually add years to your life.
How to Start
And, starting is as simple as picking up a scratchpad and some colored pencils. Hop online, and pick up a paint-by-number kit. These are easy-to-follow kits that provide you with a quick outlet for your creativity.
Cooking or Baking: Deliciously Creative
Then there is cooking and baking. Naturally, if you have already been cooking and baking your entire life, then this might not be the best hobby for you. But for those who are always looking for something new, cooking and baking could be the perfect outlet. When you start trying out new recipes, it can feel as if you’re starting a miniature adventure in your own kitchen area
Benefits
Both cooking and baking encourage mindfulness. They help to boost your confidence, as well as satisfy your taste buds. At an age when you need to be more careful about what you eat, take the time to learn how to make new and exciting meals and dishes that fit within your chosen diet.
How to Start
If you plan on choosing cooking or baking as a hobby, then you might want to start by selecting a cuisine you have always wanted to try. Of course, you can do what a lot of people did during the pandemic which is baking bread. Baking bread from scratch is an excellent way to start a new cooking hobby
Dancing: Leisure Activities To Lift Your Mood
Okay, so exercise can be a mind-numbing experience. But, it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. In fact, dancing is an amazing way for you to stay active and have fun at the very same time.
Benefits
There are many benefits to dancing after you turn 40. For starters, it helps to improve your cardiovascular health. On top of that, dancing regularly will help lift your mood, and even boost self-confidence. And, when done right, it can also help you to build lean muscle mass and lose weight in the process.
How to Start
The best way to start dancing is to simply sign up for a local dance class. And, if you’re no longer married, a dance class may also be an exciting way to meet new singles. After all, you’ll need a partner to practice a couple’s dance. Of course, you can also follow online tutorials or simply crank up the music and feel the rhythm take control of your body.
Photography: Capturing Everyday Beauty
Then there is photography. Okay, so photography is probably one of the most expensive of all of the hobbies. But, it is also one of the few hobbies that could actually provide you with a real ROI. After all, photography isn’t just about taking pictures. It’s about seeing the world in a whole new light.
Benefits
Photography helps you to appreciate the smaller moments in life. A good, high-quality camera improves your focus and lets you express your unique perspective to the rest of the world. It’s a hobby that allows you to show everyone how you see the world personally.
How to Start
In its simplest form, you can simply use your smartphone. But, I would highly recommend investing in an entry-level DSLR camera. Okay, so a smartphone will allow you to take a walk and capture whatever catches your eye, but a DSLR gives you so much more control over what you take a picture of.
Hiking or Nature Walks: Leisure Activities That Embrace the Outdoors
One of the cheapest hobbies that you can start, is going for hikes or heading out on a nature walk. There truly is nothing like a walk in nature to clear your mind and help reset your energy. So, take a gentle stroll or a challenging hike, as long as done outside, and in the middle of nature.
Benefits
Hiking and walking combine both physical activity with a form of stress relief. Not only does it help to improve your mood, but it will better connect you with nature. I personally love to walk because it gives me time to settle my mind and solve problems in my daily life that bother me.
How to Start
The easiest way to start is to look for local parks or trails. Of course, you will want a comfortable pair of shoes and a good sense of adventure. Make sure that you bring plenty of water with you, as well as some basic medical supplies, just in case the unforeseen happens.
Writing: Express Yourself
You don’t have to be a professional journalist or an author to write. Writing is for anyone who has a story to tell or emotions to work through. You could simply write a journal, create poetry, or start a blog. All of these provide you with an outlet to better express yourself. And, once you turn 40, you should have more than enough experience in life to share with other people who are interested in learning.
Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of writing is that it helps us to process our motions. But, there is so much more to the writing process. After all, it will help to spark creativity, and even provide you with a sense of accomplishment. You could even write a small book and publish it on Amazon. Even if it doesn’t sell a single copy, you can still tell everyone that you’re a published author.
How to Start
So, pick up a notebook and just let your thoughts begin to flow out. However, if you need a little more structure, you can try prompts or steamed journaling. You can even use artificial intelligence to help give you ideas on what to write about.
Volunteering: Leisure Activities That Make a Difference
Then there is volunteering. Sometimes the best way to reignite your passion for life is to give back to those who need it the most. Volunteering is a way of connecting you with your community, and it gives you a sense of purpose in life.
Benefits
Not only is volunteering beneficial to those who receive your efforts but also helps to improve your own mental health. This activity will help you to build new relationships, and even strengthen the bonds within your own community.
How to Start
The best part is, is that volunteering is easy to start. All you have to do is reach out to the local charities or causes that best align with your own personal values. Let them know that you want to volunteer some of your time each week, and ask them how you can help in your community.
Learning a Musical Instrument: Challenge Your Brain
If you haven’t learned an instrument by now, then you’ll never know what you’re missing. Although picking up an instrument after 40 might seem intimidating, it is one of the most rewarding hobbies out there.
Benefits
Playing a musical instrument will improve your cognitive function, help to enhance your ability to focus, and, it is a lot of fun. Think about an instrument that you love more than anything else, and just imagine yourself playing it right now with your friends. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about it.
How to Start
The first and most important step is to choose an instrument that you love. Some people just want to play guitar. Others want to learn the piano, but I am at a crossroads. I learned to play the French Horn when I was in middle school. And, I also bought a guitar a few years back but I never really played it because I didn’t like the feeling of my fingers. But, I have always wanted to learn to play the fiddle. Once you have chosen the perfect instrument, simply look for a YouTube tutorial or find beginner books at your local music store.
Travel Planning: Feed Your Wanderlust
Then there is the nomad in all of us. Granted, most of us can’t simply hop on a plane tomorrow and fly to the other side of the world. But, just planning for future trips even if you can’t take them, can be both exciting and inspiring.
Benefits
Travel planning encourages curiosity. Helps to broaden your perspective of the world, and actually gives you something to look forward to. In fact, it can even inspire you to start setting money aside and plan for an actual trip overseas.
How to Start
Simply start by researching destinations that you are interested in. Then, begin creating itineraries or simply dream about where you would like to go next. As you begin to plan your travels, you will get more insight in the cost of traveling to various destinations. And, you might eventually find something that is within your budget and your capability.
Tips for Incorporating Leisure Into Your Routine
Yes, finding actual time for hobbies can be a bit of a challenge. But, it’s all about making them a priority in your life. And, finding a way to make it a part of who you are.
Schedule It
When possible, simply treat your leisure activities like they are appointments. You can even block off time on your calendar in order to do them. For me, I loved playing video games when I was a kid. And, I needed something to reignite my own passion for life. So, I gave my eldest son a PlayStation for the holidays. And now, we block off time every single day to play against each other on the game console.
Join Groups or Classes
Of course, playing video games may not be your cup of tea. So, the next best thing is to join a group or class. When you share your hobby with others, it will help keep you motivated and make it more fun. You can join a writing class, or sign up for a hiking club. Really, the possibilities are endless.
Let’s Reignite Your Passion for Life
Remember, life doesn’t have to feel like it’s a daily grind. Instead, try exploring new hobbies or rediscovering old ones in order to reconnect with your passion for life. After all, leisure activities are more than just pastimes. They are essential to living a balanced and fulfilling life. So, try something new because there is no wrong way to reignite that passion.
