Discover a New Hobby After 50

By Allison Wilkinson –

Women have a harder time embracing pleasure as compared to men as they tend to have more on their minds, according to research conducted by professor of psychology Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. By learning a new skill, it can not only boost confidence, it allows you to get lost in the moment, mastering something that helps you relax, put your mind at ease, and to embrace pleasure.

Learning a new hobby after the age of 50 doesn’t have to mean sewing, knitting or playing board games. From more gentle activities to thrilling, physically-demanding sports, these hobbies might just spark your excitement, allowing you to get lost in a fun new pursuit and enjoy a happier life.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing has become increasingly popular for women in recent years. While it was once considered more of a “man’s sport,” that’s no longer the case today. Climbing offers a wealth of rewards, including physical benefits like improved strength as well as flexibility, which can help prevent injuries as you age, as well as mental and emotional rewards including reduced stress, a lower instance of depression and a big boost in self-esteem.

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be particularly strong or athletic, the sport is really more about strategy. To get started, consider visiting an indoor rock climbing gym—found in many cities throughout the country—in order to get the basics down before investing in equipment and moving on to the great outdoors.

Motorcycle Riding

Women of all ages have decided they’d rather take control when it comes to riding a motorcycle, rather than be relegated to the back seat, holding onto someone else. One 55-year-old Michigan woman, Christine Armbrecht, told Women Riders Now, that each time she turns over the engine, she feels as if she is “one step closer to freedom.”

You don’t need to go out and spend thousands of dollars on a new bike to see if motorcycle riding is right for you. The Motorcycle Safety Association (MSA), offers courses and events across the nation that allows potential riders the chance to experience what it’s like to ride one. All you need are tennis shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and gloves. A helmet is also a must, and although it can be provided, you may want to get your own motorcycle helmet in order to enjoy the most comfortable fit. Develop your riding skills and get ready to hit the open road by completing a helpful motorcycle driving test. You’ll learn what it takes to become a safe and knowledgeable rider.

Belly Dancing

While it may not be something you’ve considered, belly dancing is not only a lot of fun, it’s a great workout. The moves flow naturally with the body, which means it’s a great activity for all ages. Australian author and dancer Phoebe Carter, otherwise known as Zaida, wrote a book about belly dancing for older women after she learned to do it at the age of 60 and found that she was happier and healthier than ever.

To see if it’s right for you, sign up for a belly dancing class at your local gym, fitness center or dance studio. You can have fun with the costumes too, choosing for a more covered look in a folkloric costume, or being as daring as you’d like with a more glamorous, belly-baring style.

Play an Instrument

While you might think that if you didn’t learn to play an instrument as a child, it’s too late, age really has nothing to do with it. It’s your inner passion and drive that really counts. In fact, learning something new, such as playing the piano or guitar, helps to keep your brain sharp and alert, and can even improve memory as well as performance on cognitive tasks like problem solving and reading maps.

Playing an instrument is a great way to relieve stress, help you relax and build confidence. If you aren’t sure which instrument you’d like to play, go to a music store and try out several. You can even rent one while you’re taking lessons, at least initially, to make sure it’s the right one for you.

Allison is a WAHM, an explorer, an amateur chef and a fitness buff. You can find her Instagramming photos of her (adorable) son or researching everything from the latest parenting theories to healthy hacks for desserts.