Hobbies Can Bring Happiness

By Amy Silva

Feelings of sadness and loneliness can have many different causes. Some are due to mental health issues, but other times they can stem from going through a rough patch in life, moving to a new area and not having friends nearby, or simply having a rough day. Finding a hobby or two you enjoy can make the bad days better by giving you something to focus on and keep your mind occupied. Finding activities that bring you happiness is good for your mental health and physical health as well, depending on what types of hobbies you begin. Below are some ideas to get you started.

Types of Hobbies

There are hobbies for every personality and type. For the intellectual:

• Learn a language - You can learn online or use an app.
• Online learning - Take free college courses online through coursera.org or edx.org. Courses are offered from top colleges around the world.
• Read - Reading books to further your career, be entertained, or even learn about historical topics will keep you busy.

For those who love being active:

• Indoor sports - Exercise doesn't have to be cardio, there are many options that are quickly gaining popularity, such as CrossFit, Brazilian jiujitsu, or judo. You'll make friends and exercise at the same time.
• Outdoor sports - Find a new hiking spot or look for local sports clubs. Many towns and cities have softball teams, volleyball and even Frisbee teams you can join.
• Try it again - Try different versions of activities you may not have enjoyed when you first tried them. For example, some people find yoga is too slow for their liking, or they may not be flexible enough to enjoy a typical yoga class. There are other options of yoga, such as aerial yoga, that you may enjoy.

For those into crafting or the arts:

• Music - Learn how to play an instrument or take an online course for a type of music you enjoy that you'd like to learn more about.
• Photography - Buy a used camera and learn how to use it properly through online tutorials or take a local class taught by a photographer.
• Crafting - Try a new craft such as making homemade soap, crocheting, or making candles. Consider taking a local class where you can learn to make pottery, draw or paint. Many people find joy in these types of hobbies because they can create gifts for family and friends. Giving homemade gifts or working with your hands also gives a sense of pride.

New hobbies can mean a new group of friends, a new set of fun skills you can share with others or even open you to new job offers. You can turn sad days into happy ones with a new hobby.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Columbia, S.C.