Retirement can be isolating for some folks. Even if you're married, your spouse might still be working or going about their own daily schedule. Your adult children are busy raising their own families. Some of your friends and family might be on different retirement timelines than you are. And as you step away from work you're also stepping away from the camaraderie and teamwork that filled your days with purpose. 

Turning hobbies and interests into more social experiences can help retirees maintain their connections to other people. Here are three reasons why those interactions are important to maintaining a highly rewarding retirement:

1. Social hobbies are good for your health. 

Hobbies activate parts of our brains related to problem solving and creativity. Add in some physical activity and you'll also improve balance, motor skills, and heart health. For example, one study found that dancing in pairs and in a group setting generated multiple neural signals associated with mood, learning, and socializing that fired up participants' brains. Joining a group exercise class or starting a morning walking group in your neighborhood could produce the same kinds of benefits. And if the activity you're trying is brand new to you, even better: several studies have found that learning can actually "rewire" our brains and strengthen neural connections. 

2. Social hobbies are, well ... social!

The isolation that some retirees experience can have significant downsides to mental health. Folks who feel cut off from others often experience anxiety and depression that can develop into more serious conditions. Eventually, the more you isolate, the less you're moving and taking care of yourself, which can create physical health problems as well. 

Connecting with other people can keep those retirement blues at bay. Folks with stronger social connections are usually happier and feel greater self-esteem. The combination of hobbies and socializing can also reduce stress and help you meet new people. A broader social network might develop into a more robust support network that can help you learn new things and encourage your progress towards goals. 

3. Social hobbies can create structure and purpose.

Without the demands of work and raising a family, some retirees struggle to find reasons to get off of the couch every day. Knowing that you have a tee time or a gym buddy waiting can give you that extra nudge you need to make the most of your day. 

Teaching and volunteering can be even more meaningful ways to connect with people via your skills and interests. You could repurpose your professional skills at a local nonprofit that couldn't normally afford someone with your experience to overhaul their accounting system or redesign their website. Or you could start your own consulting firm and share your wisdom with the next generation of talent in your field. 

Couples who are struggling to adjust to retirement can also use shared hobbies to spend more quality time together. Instead of puttering around the house, getting on each other's nerves, play more tennis, attend more plays, or learn to cook new meals together. If you're both retired, build out your annual travel schedule around interests that you'd like to pursue, things you’d like to learn more about, or activities that you enjoy doing together. Arrange your tour of Italy around the country’s great historical sites. Spend your winter skiing in Utah and your spring hiking the Canadian Rockies. 

If you’re struggling to stay connected in retirement, a Retirement Coaching program can help you make more purposeful investments in the things you love to do and the people who matter the most.