Hobbies and other ways to relax in August - By Lizzy Turek

Thursday, 28 July 2022

According to a report from the National Alliance for Arts, Health and Wellbeing, having a creative hobby can benefit our mental and emotional health. Whether it’s drawing, writing, baking, dancing, singing or gardening, having a creative outlet can work wonders for your mind (The health benefits of creativity bupa.co.uk) and some of the benefits include:

Increased happiness – engaging in creative activity can lead to an increase in positive emotions and reduced anxiety. Repetitive activities like drawing, knitting and painting can boost dopamine (the feel-good chemical in our brains).
Improved mood and mental health – engaging in hobbies can help people deal with different kinds of trauma and negative feelings, by having a calming effect on the brain and body. These activities can also connect people. Certain hobbies or activities have a social element i.e. exercise class, sports team, art class, music ensemble.
Increased cognitive function – research shows that people who play an instrument have better connectivity between the left and right part of their brain. In a 2011 study reported in National Geographic, people who spent at least 10 years playing an instrument scored highest compared to those with no musical training.

Research conducted by DIYS (Community of Creative Crafters) analysed 357 adults between 20-30 years old while wearing a Fitbit for two weeks. This revealed which soothing tasks relax our heartbeat the most. While 93% of those in the study found knitting to be the most relaxing, other hobbies such as fishing, blogging and calligraphy were also recognised for improving our state of wellbeing.

So perhaps you already have one or two hobbies on the go, or you’re thinking about taking up a new hobby this summer? Take a look at the list below for some inspiration (The 20 Most Relaxing Hobbies to Try This Year - countryliving.com):

Knitting
Fishing
Blogging
Calligraphy
Painting
Candle making
Flower arranging
Photography
Baking – celebrate your baked creations on National Bakewell Tart Day (11^th August) and Cupcake Day (17^th August).
Pottery
Cooking – mark International Burger Day on 25^th August with an epic burger.
Playing an instrument
Golf
Tai Chi
Yoga
Gardening
DIY
Hiking
Running
Biking

Reading is also a relaxing pastime and a recent study by consultancy Mindlab International at the University of Sussex shows that even reading for just six minutes can be enough to reduce the stress levels by more than two-thirds (68%) (Reading 'can help reduce stress' telegraph.co.uk). So with Book Lovers Day coming up on 9^th August, why not browse your bookshelf/kindle or tablet, visit your local library, ask friends or family for a recommendation and tuck into your next relaxing read.

If you often find yourself looking at the starry night sky wanting to learn more about what cosmos and constellations are above you, then stargazing is a simple and satisfying outdoor hobby. It’s educational yet relaxing at the same time, and people from all walks of life can enjoy it. Consider downloading a Star Finder App like Star Walk, Sky Guide, or Google Sky Map to start you off. Our Managing Director Sarah Thewlis took up this hobby and has since embarked on Star Safaris (including stargazing tours, education and events). Sarah recently shared this photo with her team – it’s the Carina Nebula (a sort of star nursery). Check out latest images released from the James Webb Telescope Webb Telescope Images from NASA.

Finally for those who enjoy a tipple, take a moment and raise a glass to relaxing this summer with International Beer Day 5^th August and National Prosecco Day on 13^th August. Cheers!

Lizzy Turek

Client Research Associate