Starting a Hobby Is Good for Brain and Body

Healthy Hobby: A hobby is something to fill your free time, sure, but it can be much more. Research increasingly connects activities involving movement, nature, and the arts with better mental and physical wellbeing. In The Guardian, author Julia Hotz explores how “social prescribing” — using nonmedical activities to support health — can help people find hobbies that address what they’re actually feeling.

How to Do It: Start by matching the hobby to the problem you want to solve. For instance, if you’re feeling down or sluggish, try a movement-based activity, which is linked to boosted mental health. Feeling distracted? Spending time in nature may help. If you’re lonely or anxious, consider a creative activity like drawing, which may help you find flow and connection.

Try to find an activity that you truly want to do; not one you feel like you should do for one reason or another. Research suggests intrinsic motivation — doing something because you genuinely enjoy or value it — makes us more likely to stick with an activity. 

The Benefits: If you choose your hobby right, you’ll want to show up, day after day. When that happens, you’ve found a sustainable tool for your wellbeing.