7 Nostalgic Hobbies You’re Never Too Old to Try

Why You’re Never Too Old to Revisit Nostalgic Hobbies

My experience with dance led me to realize that revisiting activities or hobbies from childhood can be a wonderful way to honor all of the ways you’ve changed through growing up. It also may be beneficial for your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, according to Dr. Fenkel. “Play and creative expression are potent tools for stress relief and emotional processing, helping people feel more present and connected to themselves,” she says. At the neurobiological level, play is associated with the release of dopamine coupled with a reduction in cortisol—essentially increasing pleasure while decreasing stress. Play may also offer long-term neurobiological benefits throughout aging. Dr. Fenkel notes that creative, physical, and social activities can lower the risk of cognitive decline, support motor function, combat loneliness, and may even contribute to neurogenesis—the generation of new neurons.

Dr. Fenkel also supports the notion that there may be benefits to engaging in play that are specific to adulthood. “Without the pressure of competition or performance, hobbies can feel more fulfilling and sustainable,” she says. “Activities like dance or music often shift from being about comparison to self-expression, making them easier to commit to later in life.” According to one recent study, these creative activities are not only easier to commit to as adults, but they may also have compelling positive effects on mental health when practiced in a social setting.

Dr. Fenkel also notes that learning new skills during adulthood can provide a healthy mental challenge for the brain, promoting brain plasticity and, in turn, supporting overall cognitive health. “No matter our age, play remains essential to our wellbeing,” she says.