National Hobby Month

As the new year begins, so does the opportunity to pick up a new hobby or revisit old ones. January is National Hobby Month, encouraging individuals of all ages to celebrate their favorite hobbies or start new ones. Engaging in hobbies has been shown to help reduce stress and improve mental health (1). Welcome the new year by picking up a hobby.  

Enjoyable hobbies to consider

• Gardening. Growing and eating your own fruits and vegetables can be incredibly rewarding as well as help improve your diet. Additionally, gardening is a rewarding way to spend more time in nature. 

• Reading. Picking up a good book can help clear your mind and expand your knowledge. Reading is a useful, mindful activity with many mental health benefits. 

• Cooking or Baking. Making a home-cooked meal can be a great way to relax after a long day. This hobby is great for people who love trying new recipes and want to expand their creativity in the kitchen. 

• Yoga or Meditation. Yoga is a fantastic way to build strength, balance and flexibility. It is also a peaceful way to practice mindfulness through meditation and breathing techniques. 

• Art and crafts. Whether it’s painting, sculpting, photography, music, graphic design or sewing, creating art is a great form of expression that helps expand creativity.  

Sources:

(1). Poonam Sachdev, MD, “Health Benefis of Hobbies”, WebMD, 23. May 2022, https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-hobbies