Expert advice for finding the hobby that’s best for your body, mind, and soul
While some activities can seem more appealing - and some time periods more convenient - than others, there is never any shortage of evidence highlighting the benefits - both physical and mental - of picking up a brand new hobby. From reducing stress to improving social connections, assisting with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhancing wellbeing, there has never been a better time than now to start.
Choosing a hobby - and sticking to it - can be hard work, but thankfully, experts have chimed in with their tips and tricks for finding something you’ll love, and that you’ll want to keep coming back to.
Find like-minded souls
David Helmers, Executive Officer of the community-based not-for-profit organisation Men’s Shed, believes in the value of hobbies bringing people together, saying that “hobbies are very closely related to social interaction. It can be the most bizarre hobby in the world, but through them you generally form an affiliation with like-minded people.”
Enjoy it - then and now
While finding a hobby can be a surefire way to connect with people with similar interests, it can also be something that’s just for you. And commonly, the hobbies we turn to can be something we enjoyed earlier in our lives, but couldn’t keep up with for one reason or another.
For example, parenthood can see many adults letting their usual activities fall to the wayside due to time constraints and other commitments - or, in a lot of cases, exhaustion.
“I can speak from my own experience here,” Helmers said, “since I became a father, I don't think I ever went surfing again.”
MindStep’s senior mental health coach Inouk Mackay believes that “going back to an old hobby you previously enjoyed” can be a great way to break back into the cycle, adding that “experimenting with how it feels” can help with the task of re-engaging.
“If it’s right for you then your brain will kick into gear and remind you ‘yes, this was something I used to enjoy and will do again’,” she said.
And for those who’d prefer to start over, “different is good, challenging yourself is good. But make sure you experiment with a few ideas before you make up your mind. If you don’t try, how can you possibly know if it’s a good fit for you?”
Shaking off the nerves
Starting something new can feel daunting at the best of times, but coupled with doing it alongside a brand new group of people, it can be downright frightening.
However, David Helmers had some good news for those feeling the intimidation factor, speaking on behalf of his group, and those all across Australia, by declaring them to be “very open”, and agreeing that the hardest part of the process can be - and more often than not is - step one.
“The hardest thing we have with Men's Sheds is getting the men to walk in the door in the first instance,” he explained. “Sometimes, people need a bit of pushing.”
Inouk Mackay was in agreement, sharing in David’s advice that initial butterflies shouldn’t keep you from something worthwhile.
“It might involve taking a bite of that ‘courage pill’,” she said, “especially if you’re joining a group-based activity. But we know that if anxiety or fear is present, it will dissipate over time if you just allow yourself to stay there and do your best to engage.”
Commit to what matters
Mackay made a point to stress the importance of committing to any new activity, and how scheduling it in a “diary as you would an important appointment” can help guide you towards maintaining your participation. After all, as Mackay said, “we know that if we commit to something on paper, we are much more likely to follow through.”
“We all need to make some time for ourselves,” David agreed, before adding, “personally, I'm terrible at it, I know. But I’ve learned that it’s very important, and that if you want to have healthy, productive time for all the other significant things in your life, then you also need to make healthy time for yourself too.”
Images: Getty