Most people will agree that it is important to have a hobby outside of work. Why limit yourself to just one hobby when you can have several. Hobbies can fall into various categories, those that are more commonly known and those that are more interesting as well as rather strange. However, no matter what hobby or activity you choose to do, always remember that hobbies should be fun, interesting and sometimes it doesn’t hurt to know it does not cost much! Let’s take a look at the few of the most popular hobbies and a few of the strangest hobbies worldwide!
Adult Colouring Books
This may seem like an activity for kids, however, many adults are now choosing colouring as a hobby, finding that it helps to combat stress and channel their inner artist. These colouring books include various themes, with a variety of different pictures to suit different moods. It is also fun to choose different colouring pens or crayons. Research has also shown that colouring has therapeutic potential and can create focus and bring about mindfulness. Similar to meditation, colouring helps the brain to switch off other thoughts and to focus on the task at hand. It is now being used and recommended by researchers in universities and editors of journals for this purpose. So the next time you are at the shops, pick up a colouring book and bring those stress levels down!
Baking
For some people, spending time in the kitchen is a pleasure. They thrive on experimenting with different ingredients in order to prepare the perfect meal. Baking is very convenient these days. You no longer need a cookbook, as there are literally thousands of recipes available online. Baking is an activity which sparks your creativity. It can be challenging when you have not used the correct ingredients or the correct tools. However, finding substitutes for those elusive ingredients and learning to work around obstacles is what helps you appreciate the fruits of your labour. An added bonus is that it is fairly inexpensive. Basic items, such as mixing bowls, measuring cups and a few pans are all that is needed for most projects. Lastly, it is relaxing and delicious to taste the treats that you make. You also get to make other people happy by serving them home cooked treats made with love and from the heart.
Volunteering
Although not strictly a hobby, volunteering is an activity that people can enjoy in their spare time. There are a lot of benefits to this activity. Firstly, you are able to give back to others who may be less fortunate than yourself. It may also be a cause that matters to you. You can get involved in a friendly community of fellow volunteers, thereby making friends while making a difference. If you are able to volunteer at a place at which you would like to work in the future, it could help you lay the foundation for employment opportunities further down the road. Lastly, it can help you to develop new skills, boost your communication skills and give you something extra to put on your CV.
Fostering Animals
Not everyone is able to adopt an animal due to financial constraints. Others are not ready for such long term commitment. Fostering animals can be an excellent way to get used to the idea of adopting an animal and show you the love it can bring into your life. The benefits of fostering can help socialise an animal to give the animal time away from the stressful environment of a shelter, allowing it to grow and develop. Most medical care and supplies are provided by the organisation, so as not to put you in a difficult situation. This also helps you to develop nurturing and caring qualities so that one day in the future, you can provide the same for your own pets.
Extreme Ironing
Extreme ironing is a new dangerous sport whereby people take their ironing boards to remote locations to iron items of clothing. The locations that people have used for this hobby include cliffs, forests, streets and many more. This has been performed solo as well as in groups. Extreme ironing was inspired by Tony Hiam in 1980, whose brother-in-law used to iron his clothes anywhere and everywhere. Tony would take his iron everywhere from mountains to airports, gaining more and more attention each time. Today, extreme ironing has become popular once again and there are even documentaries made about it. This sport can help you explore new locations, conquer fears and add a new level of excitement to an otherwise mundane activity. The end result – returning home with great stories to tell and clothes that are crease-free!
Soap Carving
Did you think that soap could only be used to wash yourself? Well, I’ve got news for you…more and more people are taking up soap carving as a hobby. This is perfect for beginners as patterns and step-by-step instructions are found easily online. You can use a knife from your kitchen; plastic spoons or ice cream sticks can also be used. You can start simple with basic shapes and then move onto more difficult designs, such as flowers, animals, buildings or anything else your imagination can conceive. Start with a bar of soap and work your magic to convert it into a masterpiece.
Next time you are bored or looking to try something new, why not attempt one of the above activities. Each one has the potential to provide you with the opportunity to experience something new, something profound, something that could change your life!
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