This Is the Best 'Slow Living' Hobby for Women Over 50, Psychologists Say
Slow living is a lifestyle built around intention and leaning into quality instead of quantity. "This lifestyle prioritizes...living in the moment and discovering happiness through simple experiences like family time or nature connection," says , a neuropsychologist and the director of Comprehend the Mind. "It emphasizes slowing down and being present in the moment."One psychologist likens the pace of life to music."The pace of our world has a staccato rhythm to it," shares , a psychologist with Veritas Psychology Partners. "We live and work in short bursts punctuated by a flurry of activity, often detached from other people, and the next activity often has nothing to do with the first. It begins to have a feel of dread, not unlike the opening notes of Beethoven's 5th symphony—da da da daah."Dr. MacBride notes that the intention, mindfulness and connectedness involved in slow living give you the opposite feeling, improving your well-being in the process.Related:
Anyone can benefit from slow living, but psychologists share it may be particularly attractive to women 50+, and they're happy about that. "The slow-living lifestyle benefits women over 50 by helping them maintain a healthier balance," Dr. Hafeez explains. "Women in their 50s may be facing life transitions such as empty nests or retirement, and slow living helps them adapt to these changes gracefully. By participating in joyful activities and focusing on the present moment, women can improve their mental health and lower their stress levels."Related:
The key word is "lower." Dr. MacBride reports it's not possible to eliminate stress, but reducing it to a healthy baseline can improve a person's physical and mental well-being. Rejecting a culture that requires you to be always on and opting for slow living instead is useful, especially as a person gets older and becomes more at risk for chronic physical health concerns."We know that when the body is constantly battling stress, we are more likely to become ill and take longer to recover from illness and injury," she explains.Related:
The best slow living hobby for women 50+? It's walking. "I love this hobby for women who are 50+ for a few reasons," Dr. Hafeez says. "First, it's so simple and easy. You don't have to 'prepare' for anything—instead, you just simply go out and walk. It's also a great way to get in your exercise. It's extremely important to stay active later on in life, and walking is one of the best forms of exercise there is."That said, you don't have to treat every walk like a brisk one. Slow, mindful steps can also significantly impact your overall well-being.
"Mindful walks allow us to slow down and use our senses to be aware of the nature around us," Dr. Miller says. "Numerous studies have shown our mental and physical health benefits from being in nature."Not feeling it? That's OK."Certainly, [women 50+] would benefit from choosing the hobbies that work best for them, whether this is something they used to do but stopped or a new hobby they have always wanted to try," Dr. Miller says.Related:Using This Basic Skill Every Day Could Prevent Cognitive Decline
This one is actually Dr. MacBride's personal favorite slow living hobby for women 50+.
"I love the idea of 'if you have made it, you can eat it,'" Dr. MacBride explains. "I love seeing women over 50 embrace scratch cooking and baking because, for the first time, they may be slowing down enough to make the time for themselves."However, making time for yourself can involve others, especially with cooking. Dr. MacBride says women may cook with a partner or children or pass along a special recipe to a grandchild, helping to ward off loneliness. She has a few more servings of goodness for this hobby."When we start to cook and eat in this way, it can be more budget-friendly, helping these women feel a bit more in control of finances as they think about retirement," Dr. MacBride says. "It is a perfect idea for women as they enter menopause and find that weight, shape and energy changes. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn what their changing bodies need for nutrition."
Dr. MacBride suggests giving pottery a spin if you're you enjoy art. It can connect you to yourself, nature and others."Using a wheel to make pottery requires you to be in the moment and pay attention to your body relative to the clay, literally an earthly material," she explains. "When you are done, consider giving your creations away to the people you love. They will love to see what you've been up to and won't mind if it's a little bottom-heavy."
This slow living hobby is another one that lets you tap into your creative side while practicing mindfulness."It teaches you to pause and admire your surroundings," Dr. Hafeez raves. "You can cultivate mindfulness through photography by paying attention to details that you would typically overlook. You don't even necessarily have to have a traditional camera. A smartphone would work just as well."
If walking isn't your jam, archery serves as another way to get gentle movement. Never tried it? Even better."Picking up a bow and arrows for the first time can give women a unique opportunity, and the 'newness' of this can help them really tune into themselves," Dr. MacBride says. "Archery requires breathwork, stillness and being grounded to the moment. Enjoy the 'thwip' of the release and the 'thunk' of the arrow meeting its target."
"Puzzles engage the mind and can help create new neural networks, which is important as we age," Dr. Miller points out.However, puzzles are more than a potential piece to improving cognitive health.Dr. Hafeez loves the satisfaction women 50+ can gain from finishing each challenge and boasts that they provide entertainment and relaxation.Related:
Trying to go big or go home is tempting, but that's (mercifully) not the vibe of slow living."Begin with a hobby that doesn't require a large time or financial commitment," Dr. Hafeez suggests. "A simple, low-pressure activity will help you ease into it without feeling overwhelmed."
Whether you're learning a new skill or brushing the dust off an old hobby, don't expect to be a pro—at least not right away."Allow yourself to learn and grow at your own pace," Dr. Hafeez advises.
Dr. MacBride stresses that failures are events, not people. "Slow living is about taking the pressure off, not putting it on," Dr. MacBride says. "These slow living ideas aren't supposed to complicate your life. It's supposed to be life-enhancing. So, if something doesn't turn out like you want, give yourself the grace to try again."Dr. Hafeez echoes these sentiments."It's normal to make mistakes or struggle in the beginning," Dr. Hafeez shares. "Don't be too hard on yourself."
Empty-nesting and outliving close family and friends can put women over 50 at a higher risk of feeling isolated. Hobbies can provide a lifeline."Create a community around your new hobby," suggests Dr. MacBride. "Feed others, gift them with your creations or take a class. Using a new hobby as a way to meet and connect with others is at the core of slow living. Get out of the office and into your life."
Up Next:Dr. Jan Miller, Ph.D., a Georgia-based licensed psychologist with Thriveworks
Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Psy.D., a neuropsychologist and the director of Comprehend the Mind
Dr. Gayle MacBride, Ph.D., LP, a psychologist with Veritas Psychology Partners
Nature-based interventions for physical health conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research.
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