NATIONAL HOBBY MONTH

NATIONAL HOBBY MONTH

January is National Hobby Month, the perfect time of year to pick up a new hobby, or get back into an old one that you haven't thought about in a while! The great thing about having a hobby is that it can take your mind off the pressure of work or other daily stresses. Sit down and think about what you really love to do. Consider what sparks passion in your life or what makes you curious.

#NationalHobbyMonth

Finding a good hobby and giving yourself time to take part in it on a daily or weekly basis is sure to make you happier, and maybe even healthier.

"It can be coins or sports or politics or horses or music or faith... the saddest people I've ever met in life are the ones who don't care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there's nothing to make it last." -Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

Great Hobbies to Try

• Get to the gym 5 days a week. Running on a treadmill, lifting weights, or taking workout classes improve your overall health and can be fun, too!

• Try gardening. It stimulates your mind, involves a little physical activity, and it's rewarding. Research shows gardening can even help improve your mood, lower your risk of dementia, and relieves stress.

• Start cooking at home more often. If you can learn to cook wholesome, nutritious meals for yourself and your family, you'll save money and have a healthier lifestyle. Cooking can also be therapeutic in itself, and will allow you some alone time to create beautiful dishes!

• Take up yoga. No matter your age, gender, or level of physical fitness, yoga will increase your strength and flexibility. It also gives people clarity, peace of mind, and is overall a big stress reliever for anybody.

• Adopt a pet! Animals have been proven to improve mental health for many people. Research shows owning and bonding with a pet decreases the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress.

• Volunteer. Being a part of your community and lending a hand without getting paid in return has shown to incredibly improve mental health and give people a sense of fulfillment.

• Read or write a book. Picking up a good book, journaling, and blogging help clear your mind. They can temporarily take you to another place or time, allow you to express your thoughts freely, and even improve your vocabulary.

• Finally... Travel! Take a week or two off work and go experience another culture. Whether you go on a tropical vacation and spend days on the beach, or head to the cold snowy mountains to hit the slopes, traveling helps to shift your perspective, and can even help you discover yourself.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHobbyMonth

1. Use #NationalHobbyMonth to post on social media. Talk about a new hobby you've picked up or better yet, post a photo or video of you doing it to get others inspired to do the same!

2. Share your hobby with others by giving a class.

3. Make gifts of your hobby.

4. Start a hobby group so you can socialize, too.

5. Turn your hobby into a career.

You know what they say. If you make your hobby your job, you'll never have to work a day in your life.

NATIONAL HOBBY MONTH HISTORY

In our research, we were unable to find the creator of National Hobby Month.