Getting Started With a New Hobby

Hobbies can take your mind off everyday stress by keeping your brain engaged. They can be anything from collecting to cooking to painting to learning new languages. In fact, the Cut reports that hobbies have been linked to better mental health.

A hobby is an activity pursued in one’s spare time for enjoyment and without expectation of remuneration. The distinction between a hobby and a career is based on the absence of an economic need (although some people pursue professional activities as hobbies).

Sometimes it takes a little inspiration to find a new hobby. For example, a trip to the craft store may remind you of that nail art kit you forgot you had, or the idea of taking a ‘gym-and-tonic’ class to get your body and brain in sync might have you registering for a course to learn Chinese, or even take up pottery.

Getting started with a new hobby is easy and affordable, especially if you have kids. Children’s attention span and interest in things is often short, but starting them with a cheap or free hobby can help them develop long-lasting skills.

For adults, a great way to make sure you pursue your hobbies is to schedule them in the same way that you would an office appointment or social engagement. Studies also show that doing group hobbies — like playing board games — improves cognitive function and social connections. So if you can’t dedicate the space and time required for an actual hobby, consider joining a game club to meet new people and try something different.