A Hobby To Enjoy Alone And With Others

Like many seniors, you probably enjoy a full and satisfying life in retirement.

That probably means time to travel or to spend with friends. Maybe even a part-time job. Plus, you get to see the grandkids on a regular basis. Yet you still have some time on your hands that you'd like to fill with something that would be both fun and stimulating. Like a hobby. But what should you do?

Of course, there are a variety of different activities that you could take up, but there is one in particular that not only passes the time but stimulates your mind at the same time.

And that's reading a good book.

For some, reading has become a lost art, especially in our high-tech, fast-paced, have-it-right-now society. However, reading is not only fun but it's also beneficial for our mental growth. Many experts agree that an important part of our mental well-being is to keep our minds stimulated, which is part of living a healthy, well-balanced life. And that's really important, especially for seniors.

What better way is there to stimulate the mind than through reading? This can be particularly helpful in group settings, where people are exposed to new ideas, opinions and perspectives by reading the same book or story...and expressing their thoughts on it. It's in settings like these that some participants even find relief from physical discomfort and pain because of the sheer joy they receive from participating in an energetic group discussion.

So whether it's fiction or non-fiction, novels, short stories, or newspapers, find what interests you and take a little time to read it. You'll find that reading is a good way to relax, especially after a busy day or the hectic social time of the holidays.

You'll also find that there are many other benefits to reading. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of it:

• If you like solitary reading, take a few minutes out of your day, get in your favorite chair or couch and lose yourself in that best-seller your children or friends have been talking about. Or take a book with you when you travel. It's a great way to pass the time while on the plane or as a break from socializing on your trip. Check with your local bookstore or library to find just the right title for your tastes.
• If you want to be a bit more adventurous in your reading, you might consider joining...or even starting...a book club or reading group. Groups like these have become very popular following the success of high-profile clubs like Oprah Winfrey's. Book clubs are a great way to stimulate good conversations about the books you read and they are a fun way to meet new people.

The first step is to find either an existing book club or other readers who are interested in joining one. Check online or at your local library for postings of a book club near you. If you want to start one yourself, phone or e-mail a friend or two to get started. Have them find a friend or two and before long you'll have a small group of avid readers ready to go. Be careful, though, about the size of your group. You want enough people to have a stimulating conversation but you don't want so many that all of the members don't get an opportunity to express themselves. For many, the ideal group size is 8-12 members.

Along the way, you'll need to decide things like:

• Where to meet. You might consider getting either a local bookstore or library to sponsor your group meetings. Or you could meet in members' homes on a rotating basis (or perhaps even at a favorite local restaurant).
• When to meet...and how often. To give members enough time to read the books they pick, many groups meet only about once a month or every other month. Other groups choose instead to read short stories only and may meet once every week.
• What books you should read. You'll need to decide the genre (classics, romance, science, fiction, mysteries, best-sellers, etc.) as well as the authors and titles you want to read.

You might also need to check with your local bookstore or library to make sure that enough copies of the book you're reading are on hand. Using the library is a great way to read for free.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Whether you read on your own, or in groups, is up to you. The main thing is that you enjoy yourself and expand your horizons through the unique pleasure of reading.