Great hobbies to get into as an adult

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This article was written by Nomonde Simelane.

A hobby can be described as an activity that is done frequently, typically during one’s leisure time, this can be a creative activity or sport. Apart from being a productive way to spend one’s relaxation time, hobbies have also proven to have both mental and physical health benefits.

The key aspect of pursuing a hobby is to choose something that excites or intrigues you. According to health publication WebMD, scheduling or making time for activities that you enjoy yields positive results in your professional life, furthermore, a study conducted in New Zealand revealed that participating in creative activities can lead to an increased sense of well-being.

The saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is a way of thinking that has led to adults being hesitant to try out new things, particularly hobbies, typically due to the fear of not being good enough. When it comes to choosing a hobby, Psych Central advises you to start with things you enjoyed in your past or during your childhood, as people often stop doing certain activities for no good reason. Therefore, returning to activities that you previously enjoyed might be a good start.

Have found yourself getting bored during your free time and have been considering a hobby but have no idea where to start? Lucky for you, I have got you covered with a few, non-expensive options and ideas:

Take an intro class

According to Better Up, “Intro classes are a great way to dip your toes in and see if something’s worth committing to. For activities requiring more extensive classes, many organizations offer your first one free or for a discount. If you’re unsure how to find one, try searching ‘classes’ or ‘lessons’ in your area. You’ll likely find everything from horseback riding to graphic design.”

Gardening

Gardening is a great example of a hobby that is good for the mind as well as the body, not only do you get to learn extensively about the different nutritious fruits and vegetables, but you also get to break a sweat while doing so. Furthermore, the time spent outside in the sunshine is also good for your body and mind. “Gardening has shown to be helpful in reducing the risk of depression. If something is weighing heavily on your mind, gardening can allow you to focus on an activity that will bring you joy,” claims health publication Nations Health.

Gardening is also inexpensive and conducive to people of all ages to learn.

Crocheting

If you are an individual who has always been good with their hands, you might want to give crocheting a chance. Pocket Yarnlings describes crocheting as a needlecraft where yarn is transformed into textured fabric by using a hooked needle. It is a great hobby to pick up for multiple reasons, firstly, because it is affordable and easy to learn. It is also a relaxing activity that helps with exploring creativity, with the best part being that you get a practical item at the end of the project, which you can consider as a gift from yourself to yourself.

Learning a new language

Despite popular belief, a fully grown and developed adult can learn a new language, although research states that it gets more difficult the older you grow. If you find yourself being drawn to different cultures of languages when exposed, consider seriously learning a new language. The first step could be to download an app that assists with this such as Duolingo. Alternatively, you could try immersing yourself in a community where the language is spoken frequently if possible. Furthermore, exposing yourself to media that is written or spoken in that language once you are comfortable enough will go a long way.

Pilates

If you are looking for a more active hobby, pilates might be a step in the right direction for you. Although pilates are a form of strength training, the ultimate goal is not to plump up the muscles, the ultimate goal is stability and body control as it focuses on core muscles as opposed to superficial muscles. One of the most important aspects of pilates is breathing, and as a beginner that is what you will be working on the most.

“Pilates is a wonderful hobby to adopt because it’s a body conditioning activity that enables you to strengthen and build muscles while avoiding injury,” claims Absolute Pilates.

This article first appeared on Bona.