Leisure Activities

Older people in general have more free time than in earlier stages of life. It is recommended to fill free time with leisure activities which help promote feelings of meaningfulness and contentment. Leisure activity is any activity you choose to engage in of your free will, with the purpose of enjoyment.

Engaging in leisure activities has numerous health benefits:

• It is a source of meaningfulness and self-worth
• It provides a sense of control
• It contributes to activating the body and exercising mental and cognitive functions
• It maintains a higher quality of life and independence

There is a wide variety of leisure activity types and topics: starting from physical exercise to cultural activities (visiting a museum or the cinema), taking part in tradition rituals and events (participating in prayers and classes), communication (reading newspapers or browsing the internet), doing volunteer work, etc.

You can choose from engaging in leisure activities at home or outdoors, on your own or with company.
Some leisure activities cost money, and some are free.

Leisure activity recommendations

• Physical activity: physical exercise is essential for maintaining your health, especially at an older age. It is recommended to match the type of activity to your preferences and medical condition
  For further information about physical activity
• Using the computer and the internet: it is possible to use the computer to challenge thought processes and solve problems through games, reading, collecting information, and participating in discussion groups on the internet
• Gardening: an activity which suits any age and any medical condition
• Coloring books
• Crossword puzzles
• Trivia and general knowledge games
• Cooking and baking
• Board games
• Memory games
• Games on the smartphone and tablet
• Listening to music and playing an instrument
• Visiting a virtual museum
• Volunteer work

You can find further information on older age activities on the Ministry for Social Equality website (Hebrew).