Enjoy These 4 Hobbies – and Stay Healthy Too !
There are probably quite a lot of us who should, ideally, be getting a bit more exercise. (I definitely need to). But I’m not very good with doing gym work or sports. I like things that are fun – because then I don’t see them as exercise. Are you like that too? If so, then read on for 4 fun hobbies that get you moving, get your circulation going, and make you feel (and look) better.
1. House Stuff
When I moved house last time, I decided it was definitely NOT a fun activity. (Well, it wasn’t for me).
But it certainly gets you moving! You generally don’t need more exercise in your day than packing, moving and unpacking boxes.
Once you’ve moved in, it’s time to start work on your garden or yard or balcony or patio.
And that’s where the fun activity comes in.
- When you’re gardening, you’re outside, in the fresh air. Hopefully, in the sunshine. (Much more pleasant than a sweaty gym).
- It’s definitely physical activity. (I’ve got muscles in places I never realized!).
- You get a huge sense of satisfaction when you finish working in a section, or finish mowing the lawn, or weeding a bed.
- Apparently gardening also offers brain health too – because you’re keeping your mind active as you tend to your garden.
- Plus, gardening is one of those hobbies that even offers stress relief (I found that surprising, but it’s true).
And of course, if you have space, it means you can easily (and cheaply) grow your own vegetables (whatever your climate will allow).
That’s even more green and eco friendly, because you know for sure there are no nasty chemical pesticides on the food you eat. (And food is also a great gift for others – either fresh or beautifully packaged by you).
But what if you don’t have a garden?
- Perhaps you’ve got a balcony or patio.
- What about a green wall / vertical gardening.
- You could build an attractive cinder block planter in the tiniest of spaces.
- You might be able to rent an allotment (a small patch of land where you can grow anything you want – flowers or food for example).
- Perhaps there’s a community garden within reach – that’s really ideal because it’s not only exercise, but it also gives you human interaction too.
There are a number of studies that show gardening’s positive effect. A study in the Netherlands had people do a stressful activity, and then either work in a garden or read a book afterwards.
Now, I would have thought that reading would have been nice and relaxing after stress. Yet the people who read after being stressed were even more negative after reading than they were after being stressed. Those who did gardening after stress, however, were fully back to their normal positive mood.
Isn’t that interesting?
Gardening as a hobby is much more enjoyable than yet another push-up or squat or lunge!
2. Dancing
Dancing is one of the most brilliant hobbies because it promotes energy, vitality, physical health and an improved mood to support your overall well-being at any age!
There are many types of dance styles, from Zumba to ballroom to hip-hop to square dancing, surf dancing and everything in between.
- Use a games console and turn up the volume.
- If you live near the sea or a lake, dance in the water.
- Or grab a partner or find one at any of the local dance schools near you and get stepping!
3. Cooking as a Hobby
The American Psychological Association recommends cooking as a hobby or leisure activity. Cooking is fun when it’s a hobby. It gets you up and moving, and keeps your mind active too.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health also points out that you are more likely to eat a healthy, nutritious diet when you spend time in the kitchen.
And of course, if your hobbies include cooking with products that you grew in your own garden, then you are in an even healthier position!
4. Yoga & Meditation
This is a holistic method that has been used for thousands of years; it aims to treat the entire body. Not only do you employ breathing techniques, but also the poses allow you to lead your body through stretches, which will keep you flexible.
It reduces aches and pains, and also helps prevent injury, especially in the event of a fall. While you are focused on breathing through your postures, you are shutting everything else out and becoming one with yourself.
Yoga offers incredible physical benefits in addition to the mental health benefits of relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The Bottom Line
Physical inactivity is common across the world due to increasing urbanization and mechanization. If you’re not active, you’re at great risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease – a major killer. We all know this – but sometimes it’s just hard to summon up the enthusiasm for action.
So, make it fun! These 4 fun activities will make it easier to stay active.
They’re all green and eco friendly activities that don’t cost the Earth.
So, get up right now and do something!
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What do you do for exercise? Do you enjoy it? Let me know in the comments below.
Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to download “Live Well, Live Green” for FREE here!
Related:
- What’s the best time to exercise?
- How to get more energy as we age
- Top 5 outdoor exercises
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