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Are there health benefits to trying out new hobbies?
There are both physical and mental health benefits to trying out new hobbies. When it involves physical activity, it can lead to a lower heart rate and blood pressure. Regularly enjoying physical activities that burn off calories leads to a smaller waist circumference and reduced BMI.
All hobbies have mental health benefits, but those that can be done outdoors, bringing you closer to nature, have additional benefits. Research shows spending just ten minutes a day outdoors can improve your mood and focus.
The hobby can be anything at all. Just having something that you're looking forward to will increase your happiness and boost your mental health. Taking part in creative activities leads to a greater feeling of wellbeing. People have reported feeling uplifted and more positive after just a few sessions.
Taking time out on a regular basis to participate in hobbies will leave you less likely to feel low and depressed. They can increase our sense of relaxation in the long term and reduce stress. Read on to find out more about the popular hobbies you can try this summer, whatever the weather...
- Gardening
Surveys reveal around 27 million people enjoy gardening in the UK. As one of the nation's fastest-growing hobbies, there has been a steady growth in the number of recreational gardeners over the past 15 years - the number has rocketed since 2020.
As well as gardening simply for aesthetic purposes to keep outdoor areas looking beautiful, a number of people are now growing their own fruit and veg, either in their own garden or on allotments.
All you need to become a casual gardener is the relevant hand tools and a sturdy plastic box to store them in to keep them safe from the elements.
- Nature photography
Considering outdoor hobbies can relieve stress and improve wellbeing even more than indoor activities, nature photography is ideal for immersing yourself in the great outdoors. Viewing life through a lens makes you appreciate the natural wonders of nature even more.
Getting outside and photographing nature is something you can enjoy on a sunny summer day. It's a hobby you can do on your own, or with family members and friends. You don't need an expensive camera to take good photos. Most smartphones have a high-quality camera and it's the subject matter that's important, rather than the type of lens!
Did you know, every two minutes, people take more photographs today than actually existed in total worldwide 150 years ago? If you enjoy nature photography and invest in a new camera, keep your photographic equipment safe in waterproof MAX cases for storage and travelling.
- Painting
Painting is an amazingly therapeutic and relaxing hobby. It's also a cost-effective way to brighten up your home with a personal touch. Painting and drawing are among the most popular hobbies in Britain, with an average of 246,000 Google searches being carried out every month, as people look for advice and inspiration.
Some people take up painting by going to amateur classes to learn the basics and enjoy mingling with fellow amateur artists. Others skip the learning phase and just use their own imagination. There are plenty of "how to paint" videos on YouTube.
Painting is a hobby you can do both indoors and outdoors, depending on the weather. It doesn't need to cost the earth, as basic art supplies can be bought at supermarkets and discount stores these days. Keep your gear together in either Really Useful boxes or tool boxes.
- Pilates
When you're looking for an active hobby that you can enjoy indoors, the latest celebrity trend is Pilates. When you're fed up running on a treadmill or going out jogging, Pilates is a somewhat gentler form of exercise that concentrates on core strength.
Famous celebrities who reportedly do Pilates include Lady Gaga, Jamie Lee Curtis, Cameron Diaz, Madonna and Miley Cyrus, to name but a few. Today, an estimated 12 million people in the UK enjoy the benefits of this type of exercise, after it established itself as a fitness favourite during the pandemic.
Pilates has overtaken yoga as a favourite fitness and wellbeing activity in the UK. You don't need a massive amount of equipment and you can pick up starter kits relatively cheaply online. The basics include balls, boards and rollers, plus somewhere to store them.
- Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking is nostalgia central! Before the days of digital photography, just about everyone had a simple camera. There will probably be some boxes of old printed photos in almost every home in Britain.
It's not just photos that can be stuck in scrapbooks. Most of us will have happy memories of pre-pandemic days when we took holidays, threw parties and generally had good times. Make sure you hang onto your memories by scrapbooking these wonderful times.
Design pages with photographs, stickers, ticket stubs and other mementos. If ever you're feeling down, get out your scrapbooks and remember the good times, or invite your friends around for a nostalgia evening. They're great to look back on and to show your own kids.
Keep all your gear in clear plastic boxes so you always know where to find everything.
Whether you're looking for fun hobbies to do with friends or searching for things you can do alone or with the kids, there are plenty of ways to keep your mind and body active.