As people around the world live longer, supporting mental well-being in older adulthood is becoming a global priority. A major scientific study looked at whether having a hobby really makes a difference for mental health in adults aged 65 and older — and whether those benefits show up consistently across different countries.
Researchers analyzed data from over 93,000 adults from 16 countries across Europe, North America, Asia and more to understand the links between hobby engagement and key measures of mental well-being such as depressive symptoms, happiness, life satisfaction and self-reported health.
What Counts as a Hobby?
In this context, a hobby means any voluntary leisure activity done for pleasure rather than for income or obligation — from gardening and reading to painting, playing games, volunteering, crafts or social club involvement.
Hobby participation varied widely: in some countries nearly everyone over 65 reported having a hobby, while in others only about half did — showing that opportunities and cultural norms influence how people spend their leisure time.
Key Findings: Hobbies and Better Mental Well-Being
Lower Depressive Symptoms
Older adults who reported having a hobby also tended to report fewer symptoms of depression, across practically all countries studied. This suggests that staying engaged in meaningful activities may help protect mental health as we age.
Higher Happiness and Life Satisfaction
People with hobbies were more likely to report greater happiness and life satisfaction compared with those without hobbies. These relationships held true even after accounting for other factors like income, health conditions and household composition.
Better Self-Reported Health
Having a hobby was also linked with how people rated their overall health, not just their mood or emotions — pointing to hobbies playing a role in broader perceptions of well-being.
These Associations Hold Over Time
Importantly, the research showed that increased hobby engagement often predicted later improvements in mental well-being rather than the other way around. In other words, starting or continuing a hobby might actually contribute to positive changes in how people feel over time.
A Global Pattern, Not Just a Local One
One of the most notable aspects of the study is how consistent the results were across cultures. Whether in Europe, North America or Asia, the relationships between hobby engagement and better mental outcomes were largely similar — suggesting that there is something universal about the connection between leisure engagement and well-being in later life.
Country-level factors like overall life expectancy and national happiness levels were associated with how many people had hobbies, but they didn’t explain much of the mental health benefits themselves. That means the positive effects of hobbies show up regardless of where someone lives.
Why Hobbies Might Help
While this research is observational (and can’t prove cause and effect), experts suggest several reasons hobbies might boost well-being:
- Purpose and mastery: Engaging in activities you enjoy may foster a sense of competence and meaning.
- Social engagement: Many hobbies involve other people, increasing social connection and reducing isolation.
- Mental stimulation: Learning new skills and staying active may help keep the mind sharp.
- Routine and structure: Regular engagement gives rhythm to the day — something especially valuable in retirement.Â
What It Means for You
This cross-national evidence supports what many people already feel intuitively: hobbies matter. They don’t just make life more enjoyable — they can be a powerful way to support mental health, happiness and life satisfaction as we age.
Whether it’s painting, gardening, music, volunteering, walking groups, reading circles or anything that brings joy and engagement, making room for hobbies may be one of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance well-being in later life.
Bottom Line
Staying engaged in hobbies is linked to better mental well-being in older adults across the globe. People aged 65 and older who take part in meaningful leisure activities report less depression, greater happiness, higher life satisfaction and better overall health — and these patterns show up consistently across many countries and cultural contexts.