Popular hobbies of the elderly include writing poems, playing the music, playing chess, gardening, etc...
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| Bonsai gardening, wonderful stress relieving therapy. |
Not only are bonsai trees wonderful additions to their home or office décor, but growing bonsai trees also make a wonderful stress relieving hobby. Nguyen Thanh Nhuong, Chairman of the Phuoc Long Ward’s Association for the Elderly of Nha Trang has taken us to the house of 79-year-old Vu Thanh Tam, a bonsai lover, on Luong The Vinh Street, Phuoc Long Ward, Nha Trang. He said, “I have been growing bonsai since I retired. The work helps me feel relaxed and happy and overcome the grief at the death of my wife.”
Every day, he takes care of the plants and prunes trunks and branches. Bonsai gardening has become not only his hobby but also his second partner. The old man has collected many plants of various shapes. There are over 30 kinds of bonsai trees in his garden. Each plant has a lovely name.
Besides bonsai gardening, Tam also writes Tang poems. 1,000 poems have been written. He said, “Poetic inspiration is from growing plants. They have given me the motivation and encouragement to write.”
The cultivation techniques include pruning, root reduction, potting and defoliation. The miniature plants require specialized care. Bonsai gardening is a suitable hobby for the elderly as it can be pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity. Besides, growers can also earn money from the work.
Gardening is perfect therapy, good for both physical and mental health. It can give the elderly a good sense of peacefulness, helping the elderly to stay active mentally and prevent common diseases.
N.T
