Hobbies and leisure activities may lower risk of death in older adults

There are so many different benefits that can be achieved by having hobbies and engaging in leisure activities. People under any age group including kids can benefit from leisure activities, however, older adults get a chance to get physically active and fit, through fun exercises and games. Leisure activities are more important to the older adults because they can refresh their mind and body; assist themselves in staying healthy, active and happy.

We all know that spending time doing the activities that we enjoy can help delay signs of aging. Also, the pleasure in participating can lead to positive feelings of well-being that can help fight against many illnesses. In fact, a new study led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health suggest that older adults who participate weekly in various types of



leisure time activities, such as walking for exercise, jogging, swimming laps, or playing tennis, may have a lower risk of death from any cause, as well as death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The findings are based on data of over 272,550 adults between ages 59 and 82 who asked about their leisure time activities as part of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. The researchers looked at whether participating in equivalent amounts of seven different exercise and recreational activities - including running, cycling, swimming, other aerobic exercise, racquet sports, golf, and walking for exercise - was associated with lowered risk of death.

It was found that achieving the recommended amount of physical activity per week through any combination of these activities was associated with a 13% lower risk of death from any cause compared with no participation. When they looked at the role of each activity individually, playing racquet sports was associated with a 16% reduction in risk and running with a 15% reduction. However, all activities were similarly associated with lower risks of death. Even people who did some recreational activity, though less than the recommended amount, had a 5% reduction in risk of death than those who did not participate in any of the activities studied.

The findings also suggest that playing racquet sports was associated with the greatest reduction in risk of cardiovascular deaths (27% reduction), while running was associated with the greatest reduction in risk of cancer deaths (19% reduction). Physical and leisure activities can benefit in a variety of ways. Here are a few:

Being active enhance one’s immune system

Stretching and moving improves flexibility

Hobbies like crossword puzzles and brain games improve memory

Almost all types of hobbies and leisure activities help relieve stress in our lives

Games, sports and get-together creates social opportunities and improve self esteem