A recent survey found that eight out of ten of us took up a new hobby during the pandemic to help with our wellbeing.
We hope you have kept your hobby going now that restrictions have eased.
Many people chose a hobby that would keep them calm and centred. Lots of people chose a hobby that involved some sort of physical exercise too. Physical hobbies also have the benefit of releasing endorphins that give us feelings of happiness.
Most hobby types can be split into two distinct categories. Those with a physical aspect and those that were more aligned to mental stimulation.
Either way, hobbies that are good for your mental health should be something you enjoy whether they are physical, academic, creative or just simply relaxing.
The most popular wellbeing hobbies taken up were:
- Walking
- Reading
- Exercise
- Gardening
- Cooking
Wellbeing hobbies that you can do at work
We have added a suggestion or two to incorporate a hobby into a work setting.
- Walking – Set up a lunchtime walking club.
- Reading – Book clubs at work are a great way to connect to people and stimulate your brain.
- Exercise – There are hundreds of ways to exercise at work. Please contact us if you would like us to set up some organised sessions with a qualified instructor.
- Gardening – If you’re lucky enough to have some space outside on-site, ask if you can make it into an urban allotment. If not, ask if you can try growing some indoor plants.
- Cooking – batch cooking and sharing your food the day after is a great way to interact with your colleagues.
As the weather improves then it’s worth looking into outdoor activities. We have discussed the benefits of green door activities before.
Probably the best hobby you can try is one that suits you. So, most importantly, choose something you will enjoy. But don’t be afraid to try something new.
Try and make your hobby a habit. You will have a greater chance of maintaining an activity that is a regular occurrence.
Another way to supercharge your wellbeing hobby is to share it with a friend or colleague. In a work situation, it’s always worthwhile seeking out like-minded co-workers and asking them to try the hobby with you. We are social animals and the mental health benefits of sharing a hobby can be enhanced when you do things with others.
Apart from the top five hobbies, we recommend you try one or more of the following:
Again, we have added some suggestions to adapt them to a work environment.
- Baking – Take it in turns to bake a healthy treat to bring it into work.
- Puzzles and Quizzes – Set up a lunchtime crossword club or hold a weekly quiz.
- Birdwatching – Go for a lunchtime stroll and record the different types of birds you can spot.
- Journaling – Perhaps not a group session but taking time during a break in the day to identify certain situations, practice positive self-talk and reflect on positive memories can be transformational.