Hobbies that can add life to your years — and maybe years to your life

Read time: 3 minutes

If you have a hobby that makes you happy, that, in itself, adds to the quality of your life. It might also add to the length of your life. Science backs this up with studies that show some leisure activities could add years to your life.

Owning a pet

People enjoy strong bonds with their pets, as well as several health benefits. One set of studies found that dog owners had a 24% lower risk of death from any cause. And the benefit is even greater for people who have existing heart problems.

It’s thought that walking a dog and getting a little exercise might be the reason. And your cat might not let you take it for a walk, but a separate study found that people who own cats have a reduced risk of death from heart attack or stroke.

Man with graying beard in a mustard yellow sweatshirt hugging and kissing chocolate Labrador retriever

Reading

Stress is a major source of health problems that can shorten lives. But escaping to another world through the joy of reading can reduce stress levels — by 68% according to one study. As you concentrate on what you’re reading, you’re distracted from the stress in your life, which eases the tensions in muscles and the heart. And it takes just 6 minutes for those soothing effects to begin.

Gardening

Gardening can be a workout. Some studies show the physical activity you get with this pastime, along with the pleasant surroundings, can enhance and extend your life.

Look at Okinawa, Japan. It has one of the world’s highest concentrations of people who’ve reached 100 years old. It’s probably no coincidence that many Okinawa residents tend small gardens well into their old age.

Another study showed people in their 60s who garden lower their risk of developing dementia. And yet another study showed women who live surrounded by green vegetation live longer.

Middle age woman with short white hair wearing a white shirt and green sweater potting plants in a greenhouse

Cooking

Too much fast food and processed foods can wreak havoc on your health and contribute to life-shortening illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. People who prepare their meals from scratch can control ingredients and are more likely to eat a healthier diet than what fast food offers.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a win-win. It makes you feel good while helping others. But one study showed if you do it with a pure altruistic motive — how it’ll help others with no regard for how it’ll make you feel — it can even extend your life.

Walking

Here’s something nearly everyone can do: walk. One study found that people who take regular brisk walks might live two decades longer than couch potatoes. If you haven’t exercised in a while, check with your doctor before getting started.