Why traditional hobbies are vital for self-care – Health and Wellness Nashville

A person holding a paintbrush

As our lives grow busier with responsibilities, activities and commitments, are we forgetting the joy of hobbies?

A hobby is defined as “an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.” And although many of us will acknowledge that in the modern world we are busy with activities (outside of work and our personal lives), how many of us have an activity that is purely for pleasure? Of course, individuals who exercise frequently will argue that this is their hobby, but this is often driven by the (very important) need to be healthy. Similarly, many would cite video games or online experiences as a hobby, but in an ever-increasing online world, traditional hobbies are often forgotten.

In the social-media, Netflix age that we now live in, we often cannot escape from technology. Even activities that used to be ‘off-the-grid’– such as a dog walk or a hike – are often documented on social media. The influence of technology is undeniable, but the continued rise of anxiety, depression and stress levels and our lives online cannot be extracted from each other. Can you think of the last time you did something for yourself, purely for the joy of it, that didn’t involve technology (and wasn’t later posted online?).

‘Traditional’ hobbies, such as completing a jigsaw puzzle, painting, drawing or knitting, have gradually fallen out of favor. This is influenced by several factors, such as the inescapable rise of television and computers, but the benefits of these activities cannot be denied. As many mental health experts now advocate ‘self-care’, perhaps we should pay particular attention to the positives of turning off your cell phone and concentrated on a ‘traditional’ or ‘off-grid’ activity.

The current situation has encouraged many individuals to embrace these long-forgotten hobbies, we highlight our favorite self-care activities that can be enjoyed at home, as well as a few that you should consider starting when able to.

Hobbies you should try for a moment of self-care.

Jigsaw puzzles
There is a huge range of puzzles available to cater to all different ages, tastes and abilities. A truly relaxing activity that can be completed in an afternoon or over an extended period of time, puzzles offer a time to let your mind concentrate, away from a screen.

Painting
An enjoyable activity for everyone, painting is a great way to tap into your creative skills. If you aren’t too sure of your painting skills, paint-by-numbers provides an opportunity to relax, while creating your next masterpiece.

Gardening
Spending time outside is vital for self-care, and gardening is a hobby that takes time and skill, but offers a lot of reward and satisfaction. If you aren’t sure where to start, simple kits are available to grow indoors to help start you on your gardening journey.

Pottery classes
Taking pottery classes – be it throwing pottery or painting it – is a great activity for a group. In Nashville, there are many classes available for all skill levels, at the Clay Lady Campus or The Old School Farm.