Finding an activity to do in our downtime simply because we enjoy it does much more than relieve occasional boredom. Hobbies that heal have been around for decades and offer many benefits to our health and well-being.
One of my mother’s favorite sayings has always been “Everything old is new again.” I wish I would have recalled that bit of advice before purging all my scrunchies and my favorite fanny pack from the ’90s, but sadly, like many other words of wisdom I was offered in my youth, I chose not to listen.
I am not one to jump on the latest fad and I have never cared what the Kardashians were up to however I have noticed a trend appearing in the media that I am excited about.
Lately, my social media feed looks a bit… old-fashioned and I have to say I love it. It is probably because of the type of accounts that I follow, but I see women of all ages happily picking fresh produce from their gardens, and proudly displaying their bountiful harvest for all to see. Chicken coops are popping up in neighborhoods and folks are selling their extra eggs.
There appears to be a collective effort to learn how to grow our own food, can, preserve, and cook from scratch, as well as to care for and cherish our homes. Last week I overheard a group of ladies chatting about their knitting club, an activity that I had previously thought was outdated because when I was growing up homemaking activities were not encouraged and often joked about.
Instead of the constant images of what is the latest and greatest, I see friends showing off their thrift store finds (I love this) and educating us on how to reuse and repurpose. Old and neglected farmhouses are coming back to life and are filled with families.
There is a focus on family time and time being spent wisely without our phones in our hands. Kids are outdoors playing (be still my heart) and riding bikes.
What could account for such a swing back in time? It may partially stem from the COVID lockdown when we as a society realized how dependent we have become on outside sources for just about everything. It took empty aisles at the grocery store and the world around us shutting down for us to see how we needed to rely on others for our basic needs. But besides the fear of possibly not having our basic needs met, I also think many of us got a taste of how deeply relaxing and satisfying some of these productive hobbies are.
Gardening, learning to can, raising chickens, soap making, and knitting can provide a world of good. Discovering hobbies that we enjoy and that add value to our lives aids in reducing stress and anxiety, improves creativity, can provide additional income, and can improve family life.
What is considered a hobby?
According to the article ” How Hobbies Improve Our Mental Health, ” a hobby is done regularly in spare or leisure time for pleasure. It can be athletic or creative and it can be by yourself or in a group.
My own transformation
Putting down my phone and stepping back for me has been life-changing. Not only is learning a new skill good for building and maintaining cognitive skills, but the peaceful mornings spent out in my garden quiet my mind. Instead of the nonstop chatter I usually experience, I tune into the sound of the birds and hover around my lavender. It is like a moving meditation. I also find it deeply satisfying to grow your own food and then be able to serve it for that night’s dinner.
I have been inspired also to give baking bread, pasta making, and even homemade ice cream a try which has made everyone in my household happy.
Outside of the kitchen, I have found painting (on canvas and repurposing and bringing furniture back to life) extremely relaxing.
Why a hobby?
We may have heard before that if you are bored in life, then you need a hobby. While that might be true, there is so much more a hobby can offer.
Hobbies are an excellent form of brain exercise. Our brain is a muscle that needs new activity to keep it working as it should and slow down aging.
Finding a hobby that you enjoy helps relieve depression and calm anxiety. It gives you something to look forward to. It is also a great way to meet new people with similar interests. Try searching online for groups that also enjoy your favorite hobby.
Old School Hobbie to give a try
Don’t worry, if cooking and baking are not for you, there are plenty of other enriching hobbies to try.
-Puzzles
-Stamp collecting
-Scrapbooking
-Woodworking
-Flower arranging
-Knitting or crocheting
Have you recently picked up a new hobby that you have found rewarding? Drop me a note and let me know. I would love to hear about it.
