2020

15 Simple and Effective Hobbies for Boosting Your Health

15 Simple and Effective Hobbies for Boosting Your Health
Every person needs a hobby. These activities will develop our passions and tastes in life. You’ll find that they can be pretty diverse too, like writing, cooking, sewing, improvisation, and gardening, to name a few.

Sadly, not every hobby can be considered as beneficial to your health, and some might even do more harm than good. So it’s always smart to choose the right hobby. Getting into a new activity might help with skill development, as well as physical and mental fitness.

15 Amazing Hobbies that will Boost Your Health and Wellbeing


Have a look at our list of 15 health-boosting hobbies that you might want to consider learning.

1. Writing


It doesn't necessarily have to be a story. It can be anything. From movie scripts, diary entries, to songs, there's a whole slew of topics and pieces to choose from. Writing is a skill that remains useful in almost every part of one's life. And taking the time to hone this skill sufficiently can help a lot in the future. Effectively translating thoughts and ideas into clear sentences can be very therapeutic and productive. Even people outside of the writing business will benefit from a practical viewpoint. It can help improve one’s resumes, formal letters, emails, and many other pieces that most of us have to write at some point.


2. Reading


Grab a book and start reading! The boost in mental health is more than enough reason to start this hobby. Many studies reveal that reading raises mental stimulation , improves memory, boosts concentration, and reduces stress. And it doesn’t strictly have to be solely for the purpose of entertainment, because there are plenty of books that can help one learn new skills.

3. Lock-picking


This might seem like an odd hobby to some, but lock-picking can actually help one’s focus, patience, and logical reasoning. This activity gets a bad rap as some people use it for robberies and other illegal activities. But it also has a practical purpose outside of its stereotypical use. For one, accidentally leaving a key and proceeding to lock the door can be a stressful event. But if you’ve invested and learned how to use the right lock-picking tools, getting back in won’t be too hard, essentially saving you from the potential hassle and expense of having to break a door, smash a window, or call a keysmith.

4. Video games


Video gaming keeps getting a negative reputation for inciting violence, but many studies say otherwise. After all, how is it any different from watching shows and movies that have violence in them? Or following a sport based on violence like kickboxing? What’s more, video games will also enhance hand-eye coordination while helping relieve some stress. For multiplayer games, it can help improve one’s team building and interaction with others.


5. Chess


Many steer clear away from chess because of the seemingly steep learning curve, but it's easy to get into. This board game is a great way to improve the cognitive functions of the brain because it exercises both our brain hemispheres. How? First, a player must use their left hemisphere for object recognition. Afterward, the right is utilized for pattern recognition. It’s also been known to help improve memory while improving one’s strategic thinking.

6. Cooking


Cooking comes with many benefits. For one, every person needs to eat, and food is one of the many joys everyone can relate to. By honing one’s culinary skills, it gives the chance to improve physical and mental health by using a balance of good ingredients while teaching better planning skills and focus.

Letting the mind wander while there’s hot food cooking or when one’s dicing and slicing with a sharp knife can end in disaster. And timing the cooking process improperly can end up in a less than appetizing meal. So cooking also teaches better planning skills and encourages one to focus on the task at hand.

7. Painting


This can be an excellent way to help relieve stress , and it makes for a great self-reflecting activity to clear the mind. By putting one’s mind into a creative hobby, it easier to get in touch with one’s emotions and thoughts by expressing them on a blank canvas. Finishing a painting can give a sense of accomplishment, and with enough practice, this might even become a profitable venture.

8. Dancing


This lively activity comes with a whole slew of benefits despite being accessible and easy for most individuals. No expensive equipment is necessary to start dancing. Just two feet, a few good tunes, and maybe a friend to make things a bit more enjoyable. Dancing can also be an intense or gentle exercise, so it can suit a broader range of people with different needs and preferences.


9. Pet Care


Getting a pet can be a big responsibility, but the payoff is well worth the time and effort. Pets can be companions that will help reduce overall stress and improve one’s mood. Owning pets will also encourage one to be more physically active, especially for energetic pets like dogs.

10. Learning new languages


Learning new languages has a powerful effect on the brain. It’s even been known to help combat the onset of crippling mental diseases like Alzheimer’s. It can also improve decision-making skills and memory. One practical purpose of mastering a new language is that it looks good on resumes, and it will come in handy while traveling. It also exposes oneself to new people and new ideas.

11. Traveling


Planning trips to head into the open road can be a very satisfying experience for anyone with a love of exploration and adventure. Traveling will expose one to new cultures and prospective, promoting open-mindedness and self-discovery. It also helps improve one’s planning skills and overall physical fitness.

[caption id="attachment_25880" align="aligncenter" width="950"]Image source: Huffington Post[/caption]

12. Gardening


Gardening is a very practical hobby that encourages good qualities like patience and critical thinking. It’s also been known to reduce stress effectively. One can even take it to the next level and plant some food-growing plants.

Having the convenience of available fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs with a simple stroll through the garden can make cooking easier while promoting healthy eating.

13. Photography


Nowadays, everyone can be a “photographer.” What, with the steadily rising picture quality of our smartphones. But there’s actually a little more into photography than one might expect. It’s an art form that can reduce levels of stress and honing the creative eye. It can also help one expand into computer editing, potentially another great hobby that goes well with taking pictures.

14. Yoga


Yoga is a hobby that can potentially improve both mental and physical wellness. For one, it can help the body by using up most muscles and stretching them. It can also help with the mind by encouraging focus and blocking out external distractions. Yoga has also been known as a big stress reliever, and it creates an excellent environment for self-reflection.


15. Playing A New Instrument


Almost every person on earth likes music and having the ability to create it is a joy that many can appreciate. It helps foster a positive attitude that focuses on patience and perseverance. After all, it takes a lot of time and dedication to master an instrument truly. One can also get the benefits of improving reading skills, verbal memory, spatial-temporal skills, and memory. And it makes for great talent to show off to friends or help enhance a resume.

Take The Extra Step And Learn A New Hobby Today


We hope that our list has given you some ideas to start with. Now is the best time to choose and pursue a productive hobby that promotes a healthier lifestyle. Whether you’re leaning more on the arts, the sciences, or purely for entertainment, the possibilities and choices are endless.




Author Bio:


Tara is a spunky girl in her thirties trying to make it through her daily nine-to-five job as a nurse, but usually trying to make it through the paranoia of an unexpected apocalypse happening in the corner. Other than that she enjoys writing along with the company of her adopted dogs, Moon and Sky and a writer for Lock Pick World.




 
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