*Thank you for supporting the brands that support our blog. We receive a commission when you purchase through these links*
The benefit of hobbies
The right hobbies can be incredibly beneficial for your mental and physical health. A study by Nature Medicine from 2023 followed adults for 4-8 years, and they reported that those who consistently participated in hobbies had “better health, more happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction.”
UCLA defines 3 proven health benefits of having a hobby. These benefits include a boost in mental well-being, improvement in cognitive function, and a reduction in your risk of a chronic disease. Hobbies bring joy and reduce stress and anxiety in the mind of the individual participating in the hobby.
Hobbies are a very impactful investment for your life. Most of the health benefits from hobbies are seen in older people because it is more common for older adults to feel lonely, and participating in hobbies with community decreases that feeling of loneliness. However, hobbies are also very beneficial when you are younger, especially when they keep you off your phone.
What hobbies are truly beneficial
A hobby becomes beneficial when it enhances your physical and cognitive health. In other words, a hobby that gets your body and your brain moving is beneficial. As well as a hobby that gets you into community with others, like a book club or volunteering, it is beneficial for your mental health when you spend time with others.
Also simply a hobby that you enjoy, that isn’t directly harming your physical and cognitive health, is beneficial for you. This is because it boosts your joy and decreases your stress and anxiety levels. Stress and anxiety can lead to a lot of health concerns, especially as you get older.
How do you decide which hobbies to participate in
Sometimes starting a hobby can feel very intimidating, but you do not have to feel intimidated with this process. Hobbies are meant to be beneficial for you and bring you joy, so simply think about what interests you. If you love being outside, find a hobby that is outside. If you love being creative, find a hobby that allows you to be creative.
Something important to know when getting started is that you aren’t stuck there. Again, hobbies are meant to be enjoyable, so if you try out a hobby and don’t enjoy it, no pressure! Just simply stop participating in the hobby and try something else. There is a hobby for everybody.
How do you get started?
Look at the list below and pick a hobby that looks interesting to you. Maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to do or just something you have heard a lot about. Then get started, if you don’t like it, try something else! Trust me, you will feel a lot better when you spend your time doing something other than scrolling on your phone.
10 hobbies to choose from
- Reading
- Crocheting
- Gardening
- Painting
- Baking
- Knitting
- Embroidery
- Hiking
- Running
- Music
These “Woobles” kits are absolutely adorable and very helpful when you are first diving into your crochet journey. Get your own blue penguin here.
Kindles make it so much easier to read wherever you go, especially when you are traveling. I recently switched to reading from the Kindle app and I read so much faster now, I am halfway done with my 7th book this year! Click here to get your own Kindle Paperwhite.