When you first think about hobbies, the word “fun” may come to mind. After all, isn’t that why you become involved with hobbies to begin with?
However, there is so much more to hobbies than just enjoyment. They’ve actually been shown to enhance your emotional, mental, and physical health too, leading to fewer diseases and illnesses—and longer lives. At this point in your life, you probably already have taken up several hobbies. But, when is the last time you picked up a NEW hobby?
See if any of these hobbies spark your curiosity and interest!
Art Classes. Jennifer Helner of Scripted Expressions, comes twice a week to Beacon Hill in the Studio to teach drawing and watercolor classes. Come express your creative side! All artist levels are welcome!
Become a Citizen Scientist. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to monitor air quality, track weather, or become involved with other science-based projects? With resources like CitizenScience.gov and Zooniverse.org, you can contribute to the science community from your residence!
Blog. With a personal blog (basically your own website), you can write about whatever you’d like, whenever you’d like to, and have it all published online—for free! Consider using websites such as Blogger, Wix, and WordPress to create your own blog and “get your creative juices flowing,” while discussing a wide array of topics.
Dance the Day (or Night) Away. If you’re interested in dancing, local studios like the Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Social Dance Studio offer dance lessons to people of all ages. Additionally, this spring, Beacon Hill will be partnering with the Grand Rapids Ballet to provide a new Adaptive Dance series on the third Wednesdays of March, April, and May.
Genealogy. If you’d like to know more about your family’s past (and teach your children and grandchildren about it), seek out genealogy websites such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. You’ll discover more than you can possibly imagine!
Learn a New, Distinct Language. Perhaps you learned Spanish or German in high school or college. Why not learn an entirely different type of language though—one that you never thought of before? According to Ethnologue, there are more than 7,000 languages to choose from, so you’ll have plenty of options!
Learn a New, Unique Instrument. Similarly, consider learning a completely different type of instrument, such as a harmonica, a talking drum, or a ukulele. Again, the possibilities are practically infinite, as hundreds of instruments have been created so far, according to The Institute of Musical Instrument Technology.
Meditate. Yes, breathing—while concentrating on each breath—is indeed a hobby. Find a quiet comfortable space where you can simply close your eyes, breathe, and focus on the present. Guided meditation through Apple music, Spotify, or even YouTube are great resources to get started.
Publish. It’s never too late to publish a work of art either, whether a book, a collection of short stories, a drawing, photography, or poetry. Showcase your creativity and receive money while doing so. Yet again, the opportunities are limitless!
Teach. Finally, everyone has something they can teach others. Much like learning, age is just a number when it comes to teaching. Whether you’d like to share your knowledge at Beacon Hill or online, continue to positively impact the world!
The bottom line? There is no better time than now to seek out a new hobby. You’ll certainly be glad you did!
