It turns out that those activities that you do “just for fun” are key to a healthier, happier life. Over the past five years, hobbies have been the focus of numerous studies, all highlighting their powerful health benefits. 

Mental Health  

• Hobbies can reduce depressive symptoms and increase happiness and self-reported life satisfaction.  

• Hobbies can improve confidence.  

• Hobbies can help people feel more fulfilled. As we engage in our hobbies over time, we increase our “success factor.” Getting better at something is very affirming. 

• Hobbies reduce loneliness. Americans are experiencing what is being called, “a loneliness epidemic.” Hobby groups = built-in friends who actually get your excitement about heirloom tomatoes or finger knitting. Even hobbies as basic as reading or knitting allow us to make new connections, whether through in-person clubs or online forums.

Physical Health  

• Hobbies correlate with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Why? Because hobbies (even competitive ones) reduce stress, blood pressure, and heart rate.  

• Hobbies (even the non-athletic ones) correlate with healthier weight in those who engage. When you are engaging, you’re not eating, and the increased brain activity burns calories.  

• Whether it’s learning to juggle or perfecting your homemade pasta, hobbies keep your mind spry. Hobbies blend creativity, relaxation, and connection like a smoothie for your soul. Plus, they’re brain candy—keeping your neurons sharp enough to find your keys on the first try. Studies show that learning an instrument or a new language are among the best ways to keep your brain strong and flexible. 

 

What Counts as a Hobby? 

Let’s pause and clarify what we mean by hobbies. A hobby is an activity that we choose to do in our spare time. Hobbies can be creative, educational, athletic, spiritual, or involve collecting items. We may pursue hobbies to relax, learn new skills, or socialize with others. But to qualify as a hobby, the activity much be active, not passive. A sleeping habit doesn’t count, nor does watching TV (unless you are knitting or organizing your coin collection while you’re doing it). On the other hand, learning a new skill by watching YouTube videos does count. Gaming counts. Watching a gamer on Twitch does not.  

Picking the perfect hobby: 

Not sure where to start? Here are some ways to find your thing: 

• Think back to childhood. Were you obsessed with finger paints, or did you spend hours building forts? Revisit the spark. Do you find yourself finally realizing why you should have practiced piano or paid attention in French class? 
• Look at your life. Are you craving movement (hiking, yoga, dance class)? Quiet time (journaling, coloring, reading)? A creative outlet (painting, writing, content creation, photography)? A social vibe (classes, volunteer groups, cultural tours, book clubs)? Start there. 
• Test the waters. Don’t overcommit! Borrow supplies, try a class, or watch a YouTube tutorial before diving in. As a matter of fact, YouTube is a terrific way to figure out if a hobby is right for you. 
• Think about what already makes you happy. Love cooking? Turn it into a creative adventure by mastering gnocchi. (Messy but delicious.) Already walk daily? Turn it into a geocaching treasure hunt. Pokémon Go was designed with that in mind. 

 

Inside, Outside, or Everyday Upgrades? 

• Inside hobbies: Great for introverts or rainy days. Think journaling, crafting, or perfecting latte art. 

• Outside hobbies: Sunshine + serotonin = happy brain. Gardening, hiking, or birdwatching fit the bill. 

• Everyday upgrades: Turn daily routines into hobbies. Cook for fun instead of necessity. Love listening to music? Try making playlists or take it up a notch and take singing lessons. 

 

How to Know if a Hobby Isn’t the One: 

• It feels like a chore. (The whole point is to enjoy it!) 

• You dread doing it. (Well, that’s just ridiculous!) 

• You’re not learning or growing. (Hobbies should give you some sense of accomplishment.) 

If it’s not clicking, throw in the towel guilt-free. Hobbies are like dating—you’re just looking for a good match. Move on and try something new. 

Remember: Hobbies are about joy, not productivity. They’re not meant to be one more thing on your to-do list. They’re your permission to have fun, explore, and reconnect with what makes you happy. 

Bonus: Trending Hobbies 

Here are some hobbies that are growing in popularity. Some are enjoying a renaissance, and others are uniquely of this moment. 

• Make your own pizza. Delicious and fun. 
• Master Gua sha. A traditional Chinese medicine practice involving massaging the skin with a stone, and a popular form of self-care. 
• Take up pickling (not to be confused with pickleball). Just about any produce can be pickled and transformed into the perfect snack or garnish. 
• Play pickleball (not to be confused with pickling). Everybody’s playing this cross between tennis and ping pong, with a little badminton thrown in. 
• Learn self-defense. Part exercise, part empowerment, there are many forms to choose from. 
• Tarot card reading. People may be getting tired of life’s surprises because this ancient practice is becoming popular again. 
• Make your own non-dairy milk. Why buy your almond milk and oat milk from the grocery store when you can make it yourself? If you don’t have an answer, try it. 
• Learn nail art. Nail art is huge business. Apparently, this is something you can learn to do online. If you have any talent, it could become a lucrative side hustle. 
• Start a podcast. Yes, we are overwhelmed with podcasts. But if you have something to say, or special expertise, it could be fun to share it. 
• Start a special-interest Instagram account. See above. 
• Start thrifting. Save money and dress better than everybody else. If you are really good at it, you can start that IG account. 
• Write fan fiction. Have you ever wanted to fix the ending of your favorite movie or TV series? Or explore some “should have been a thing” character relationships? There is a huge fan fiction community out there. Check out archiveofourown.org (known as AO3). You’ll be amazed at what you find, including inspiration. 
• Rediscover board-gaming. We’re not talking Monopoly or Risk. There are board games to match almost any interest (sci-fi, geopolitics, science, history, etc.). They are challenging, brain-boosting, fun, and addictive. You can play them in person or play against people around the world on boardgamearena.com.  

So, what’ll it be? Paintbrushes or podcasting? Gardening or gaming? Whatever you choose, it’s all about finding your happy place. Your life will most certainly be better for it!