Hobbies are a great way to relieve stress and add happiness to your life. But finding the right hobby can be hard, and trying something new can be intimidating at any age. Thankfully, half the battle is simply getting started. Check out some hobbies to try below.
Start Exercising
Although many people view exercise as a chore, it’s actually a very beneficial hobby that has numerous benefits for both your mind and your body, including helping to alleviate depression and stress. Yoga is a great stress reliever -- connect with The Wolf of Wellness for individualized yoga sessions. You can also kickstart your exercise regimen by simply doing some push-ups and jumping jacks in the backyard. Whatever you do, make sure you keep it safe and fun.
Any physical activity will tell your brain it’s time to produce endorphins. These feel good hormones improve mood instantly, and they have other benefits, too. Harvard acknowledges, however, the early days of taking on a fitness routine are hard, but the best things in life don’t come easy.
Use a Real Camera
Photography is a popular hobby across all age groups. Unlike other art forms that require years of discipline to master, photography shows results almost immediately, especially if you are working with a DSLR camera. This doesn’t mean there aren’t any learning curves. You will absolutely take a lot of mediocre photographs before you get good.
Digital Photography School encourages new hobbyists to jump in and experiment with the camera to help get familiar with how it works, then turn to manuals and tutorials. Getting hands-on straight away will help make those lessons comprehensible.
This hobby does require an investment to purchase the right gear. If you’re still on the fence, try renting or borrowing equipment, and go for a trial run before you commit to a camera.
One of the greatest benefits of photography is that it lets you see the world -- and people -- from a different perspective. It’s also a great way to socialize, and there are photography clubs in all major cities.
Take a Hike
If you love being in nature and live near national forests or hiking trails, then you have a new hobby right at your fingertips. All you need to do is get a comfortable pair of shoes, a first-aid kit, a reusable water bottle, and a small backpack — and then you’re ready to rock. If you have a dog, bring your four-legged companion along for the journey. Are you a cat owner? Maybe it’s time to try a new hobby together with your feline. If your cat is the adventurous type, you could always grab a cat backpack and take them for a ride.
Aside from spending time with your pet pal, hiking is an excellent way to reconnect with nature. This can give you a mood boost, improve your self-esteem, and help you feel more at ease, even once you’re back indoors.
Get in the Groove
Music has a way of taking hold of people. Let yourself feel the beat and dance. Dancing is a great way to let loose. It also has the ability to improve memory and promote balance, making it a great hobby for seniors. What’s more, for those in addiction recovery, dancing can also provide an outlet for them to escape. Many addicts turn to substance abuse due to stress. Dancing is known to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety while also being a form of expression and, therefore, is a great way to prevent relapse.
Learn a New Language
Learning a new language gets more difficult after you pass adolescence, but that does not mean it’s impossible. In today’s increasingly connected world, being bilingual is a valued skill to have, and thankfully, there are many tools at your disposal to help you do so.
Tried and true language sets are no longer your only option. You can download an app or take classes online. Watching foreign films with subtitles on is an enjoyable way to learn new and unusual vocabulary. You can also seek out a fluent speaker to help you practice conversing, and this can open you up to new friendships. Look for language learning centers in your community or check online to see if there is someone in your area willing to chat with you once a week.
Start a Book Club
Reading can sharpen the mind and expose you to new ideas. Not to mention, many people find it relaxing. Books are also an excellent escape from reality and are far better for your brain than hours-long Netflix marathons. However, even better than reading a book in solitude is being able to talk about it afterward. It can be a fun way to bond with people and practice your critical thinking.
Try starting a book club with some friends. Book Riot urges you to find a democratic way to nominate what book to read. This is supposed to be a fun activity, and no one likes a book dictator. If you can’t find enough people to start a book club in person or if you have different taste in books than your friends, consider joining an online book club. There are many niches and genre-specific groups that’d be more than happy to have you.
Don’t Stop at Recreation
Once you find yourself practicing a hobby for fun and recreation, it’s not time to call it quits. Rather, it's the opposite: Start thinking about ways to turn your hobby into a career. A great way to get started is to look towards getting an online education at a university like WGU. Online college courses are a great way to learn while keeping a good work-school-life balance. That’s because you can learn at your own pace and take classes anytime and anywhere you prefer. Plus, employers are always looking for candidates who are dedicated to learning.
It’s okay if you aren’t so adept at your new hobby at first. Learning a new skill can take time. Be patient, and let yourself make mistakes. If your new hobby truly is not a good fit for you, that’s okay, too. Move on, and try something else. The key is simply to be open to new experiences.
In addition to hobbies, you can also greatly benefit from the services that The Wolf of Wellness offers, such as meditation, yoga, nutrition coaching, and physical rehabilitation. Schedule a session on our website today!
Article By Cheryl Conklin at Wellness Central
Photo courtesy of Unsplash