Speak Up. Reach Out is Freshered's mental health initiative.
Hobbies strike a nice balance between productivity and leisure. It’s a great way to get something done without feeling like you’re working. While some people seem to have their hobbies set in stone from day one, for others it takes more trial and error to find what works. It’s not always easy, but finding a hobby can come with loads of mental health benefits. They can reduce stress, help us find community and align ourselves with who we are. So here are some of the best hobbies that are good for your mental health.
Music
Picking up an instrument is a great way to spend your time. Whether you’re picking it up from a childhood education or for the first time, it’s never too late to start learning music. You’ll be astounded at the progress you can make just from a few minutes of daily practice.
Pottery
Another hobby that is good for your mental health is pottery. It does require specialist equipment, but you can find a workshop or take classes to start out. Not only is it soothing to shape something with your hands, but you can also keep your pieces for use or to gift to friends.
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Sewing
Sewing is lots of fun and a great way to express your creativity. Plus, you can design garments without spending a bunch of money (or supporting fast fashion.) You can find secondhand sewing machines for fairly cheap, or borrow one to try it out.
Gardening
You don’t need to have too much experience to get into gardening. There are plenty of great starter plants that aren’t too complicated to care for. The payoff is well worth the effort once you harvest your vegetables and herbs and watch your plants thrive.
Cooking
Another great hobby for mental health is cooking. There is lots of room for expression with different flavour profiles and presentation. It’s rewarding to learn new techniques and go outside your comfort zone. Plus, you get to enjoy savoring what you cook and share it with others.
Reading
Finally, reading is a fantastic hobby to get into. It’s not always easy to find your literary niche right away, but once you do it’s easy to become a total bookworm. It’s also a great way to connect with others, by sharing recommendations and lending books to one another.
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