New research has found that “Grandma Hobbies” provide powerful physical and mental health benefits. How wonderful to find something healthy that is actually fun to do (goodbye kale!).
The online definition of “Grandma hobbies” says – “They are low-tech, tactile, and creative pastimes traditionally associated with older generations that are seeing a major resurgence among younger people looking to disconnect from digital screens.”
Whew, that’s a mouthful.
Grandma hobbies cover a wide variety of things to try. To name a few: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, cross-stitching, cooking, baking, puzzles, board games, quilting, gardening, canning, and anything else that encourages you to stop and focus on what you’re doing for a minute or two.
No matter your interests or talents you can easily find a hobby that suits you. To name a few: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, cross-stitching, cooking, baking, puzzles, board games, quilting, gardening, canning and anything else that encourages you to stop and focus on what you’re doing for a minute or two.
In this crazy world we live in, we have become overstimulated and under-nourished in so many ways. We long for things that feel real and useful. Creating things with your hands solves that. Old-fashioned hobbies give us a sense of accomplishment not found elsewhere. Finishing a paper online doesn’t pack the same punch that holding a ripe tomato or a finished sweater does.
Plus, doing these activities creates much-needed pauses during the day. They give us permission to rest without a lot of guilt. In these modern times, we often feel guilty if we’re not busy at all times. Partaking in these pastimes gives us a feeling of accomplishment while also allowing us to rest along the way.
So, how do grandma hobbies help?
They Lower Stress Hormones – Repetitive movements, like knitting or crocheting, act as a form of peaceful “meditation” that actually lowers the stress hormone cortisol.
They Raise Feel-good Hormones – Working with your hands stimulates touch receptors, releasing calming oxytocin and elevating dopamine and serotonin to boost your mood.
They cut screen time – Trading digital devices for hands-on crafts helps your brain decompress and also improves your overall sleep quality
They improve neuroplasticity – Learning new patterns or techniques builds and strengthens neural pathways, keeping the mind sharp and flexible.
They give you better focus – These activities demand sustained attention, which trains your brain to filter out distractions and stay present in the moment.
They lower dementia risk – Studies associate regular creative hobbies and gardening with a lower risk of cognitive decline as you age.
They combat loneliness – Crafting circles, gardening clubs, or baking groups create a sense of community and strong social belonging. Even online groups allow you to share what you’ve made and get support from other members.
They give us a sense of purpose – Finishing a project or sharing handmade goods with others fosters deep satisfaction and emotional joy.
They regulate the nervous system – The bilateral movement in knitting or kneading dough and the rhythm of the movements signal safety to our bodies. That activates the parasympathetic nervous system and gets us out of the fight-or-fight system that so many of us are stuck in.
There are so many grandma hobbies to choose from that you are sure to find one that matches your unique personality.
My friend makes the most beautiful quilts. Quilting is a linear hobby. Pieces must fit together perfectly or everything is off balance. I could never quilt. I am far from linear and my inclination is to make wonky things. But it’s the perfect match for my friend.
Ann Kirsten
In contrast, I make tiny little things. I love embroidery. I love the different colors of thread and the movement of the needle going through the material. Sometimes I make up a pattern in my head as I go along.
Ann Kirsten
And sometimes I follow a pattern but make it my own with my choice of colors and fabrics.
Ann Kirsten
Either way, the rhythmic movements give me so much peace.
My mother-in-law always had a crochet hook in her hand. She made blankets, ornaments, clothing and anything else that caught her eye. The dress in this picture was made for my daughter and then her daughter wore it and it is now packed away for future generations.
Ann Kirsten
Cross-stitch saved me when I first became a mother. My husband worked twelve-hour shifts, seven days a week and we only had one car. I was stuck inside with a new baby. Stitching gave me a concrete way to feel that I mattered. I had something physical to show for those long and lonely days inside.
Ann Kirsten
Maybe your “thing” will be gardening. There is nothing quite like growing your own food. Talk about physical examples of your hard work! The produce you provide your family will give you so much satisfaction.
Ann Kirsten
Canning goes along with gardening. Whether you choose to can the old-fashioned way or freeze your produce, the sight of all those jars of yumminess will fill your heart with joy.
Ann Kirsten
My daughter has chosen sourdough baking. The things she turns out of her kitchen are stunning and so delicious. Her kids will remember them long after they’re grown.
Ann Kirsten
I love to bake as well. A few years ago I baked cookies of the month. The recipes are all on allmomdoes.com. Simply do a search for “cookie of the month”.
Ann Kirsten
And grandma hobbies aren’t just for women. When my husband was recovering from a terrible accident we set up a puzzle table. Working on a puzzle not only gave him peace, but he could see his accomplishments right before his eyes as he put the pieces together. He needed that encouragement at a time when he was physically unable to do much else.
So there you have it. Grandma hobbies are here to stay. They’re not only special ways to create heirlooms, they’re also healthy!
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
Proverbs 31:13
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Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
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