Summer is an ideal time to pick up a new hobby, thanks to longer days, vacation periods, and often a more relaxed work schedule. Whether you aim to stay active, unwind, or learn something new, summer offers the perfect opportunity to explore and enjoy a new hobby.
The reasons to have a hobby are endless. They are beneficial for reducing stress, increasing social connections, aiding cognitive function, physical and mental health, and more. People who engage in hobbies report increased happiness, fewer depression symptoms, and greater life satisfaction compared to those who do not have hobbies. And it’s proven! A study by Nature Medicine determined the strong tie between hobbies, happiness, well-being, and health. Researchers analyzed the data of five extensive studies that included 93,000 people all over 65 in 16 countries, 60% of whom had a chronic mental or physical health issue. The findings revealed that those who engaged in hobbies experienced better health, greater happiness, fewer depression symptoms, and higher life satisfaction compared to those who did not have hobbies.
So don’t delay. Find a hobby you can pursue—we’ve got some ideas to explore!
If you enjoy creative expression:
- Learn to play an instrument. Learning an instrument is fulfilling at any age. The cognitive benefits are a huge bonus, as musicians generally have shown to have a superior working memory to non-musicians. And there are health benefits too! A study in Medical Science Monitor showed that playing a musical instrument can reverse stress at the molecular level. So pick up a guitar, or even start with a ukelele, and you can teach yourself with the help of YouTube - or try a group like New Horizons Music, with programs that provide entry points to music-making for adults. You can find a group closest to you here.
- Become a (better) cook. This hobby can be an excellent way to spend quiet downtime, specifically baking, making bread, etc., or it can be a wonderfully social hobby! Pick a new recipe each weekend, open a bottle of wine, and invite friends over. Whether you are making homemade noodles for Italian night or challenging your sushi-building skills, it’s fun to learn together—and then eat together!
If communication is your thing:
- Create a blog. You may love to travel or have recipes you love to share - find a niche that motivates you. It’s a beautiful way to share your passion, ideas, and creativity in your own voice. First, choose a blogging platform and make it easy by using one of their customizable templates. Then, start writing. Share your blog on social media to get more views.
- Get involved in public speaking. Join clubs like Toastmasters to refine your speaking and communication skills while improving your leadership skills. Many people love engaging in the supportive community. Meetings are usually bi-monthly, and you can participate actively by taking on speaking roles, leadership roles and contributing to the club’s activities. Put your best foot forward with MicroTouch to make sure you have everyone’s full attention! MicroTouch Max is a micro-precision trimmer that goes beyond where clippers and scissors can, keeping unruly stray hairs at bay with no knicks or cuts.
If you like leading and organizing:
- Take up a leadership position in a local organization. Nonprofit work is gratifying, and the skills you have at work can transfer to help non-profits that are often low on funding and staffing. Start thinking about what is meaningful to you, then look at local philanthropy listings.
- Become a Certified Fitness Trainer. Many people with full-time day jobs love to spend downtime combining their love of fitness with the fun of leading classes. Many studios, like Club Pilates, have programs for instructor training. Bonus: You usually get your workouts for free at the gym or studio where you teach. Another option is to become a Personal Trainer. You need to achieve the industry standard Level 3 Personal Training qualification. Choose a certification from a reputable certifying organization like NASM or others.
If you are naturally curious and love to learn:
- Become a pro at chess. Chess can be a lifelong, exhilarating, and challenging hobby that keeps your mind sharp. You don't always need a live opponent; you can play online on platforms like chess.com, which offers free games. Once you've mastered the basics, focus on studying openings to control the center of the board and practice tactical patterns such as forks, pins, and skewers. Then, look for a local chess club for practice; from there, you can explore chess leagues, chess festivals, or even international competitions.
- Learn a new language. Learning a new language opens so many new and exciting doors - with new understanding and learning about different cultures, ideas, people, and vacation spots! Make it easy and practice with an audio learning program while in the car, on a walk, or just doing chores around the house. Listen to native speakers in movies or TV shows, and find someone in your community with whom you can practice. Immerse yourself in the culture of that language and find inspiring recipes - finally, take a trip to the native-speaking country and enjoy chatting with the locals!
If you love sports:
- Prepare for a big race. Try a 5k, Iron Man, Ragnar, Tough Mutter, and more. If you have no experience running, a 5k is a great place to start. Google a beginning training regime, ensure you have comfortable shoes and clothing, and hit the road! Depending on your fitness level, there are many other options; check out a breakdown of races at aaptiv.com. Consider training with a friend; it will get you out of a fitness rut, keep you accountable, and be more fun! Be prepared and use a body hair trimmer to help reduce friction. MicroTouch Titanium Trim clears your neck, back, and body with zero irritation and extends to 40 mm, delivering the perfect power position for hard to reach areas.
- Be a coach. If you’ve played sports growing up and enjoy teaching, consider volunteering your time in youth sports. City and county programs, the YMCA, and other non-profit organizations always seek volunteers. Positively impacting the lives of youths while enjoying the sport you love is a great way to spend some downtime! You will be a role model to kids in your community and feel a huge sense of fulfillment, too.
Take some time this summer to discover a new hobby that brings you joy. It will enrich your life, help alleviate stress, and offer many other benefits!