Finding A Healthy Hobby That Suits You

Got a hobby? If not, now could be a better time than any to pick one up!

Hobbies can improve a person’s sense of well-being and eliminate feelings of self-doubt. Furthermore, it’s important for those in recovery from addiction to engage in new skills — or revisit old ones — to reverse emotional downturns and revert to unhealthy cycles of behavior.

Hobbies can provide a much-needed support network of friends and a boost of self-confidence. If you’re not sure where to begin searching for a hobby, Southside Center of Hope has put together some ideas for you to try.

Take Dance Lessons

Dancing is a fantastic individual or group activity. In-person dance lessons could be sparse until the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, but until then there are a lot of free dance lessons available online to get started with. Once you begin learning the steps or even making a few missteps, you will have fun enjoying and improving your new skill.

Learn an Instrument

Many people dream of being able to play an instrument but few do. Learning an instrument takes patience and practice but there has never been a better time to learn than now. Whether it be trumpet, guitar, piano, bassoon, or any other instrument, there are many free tutorials online and paid lessons as well.

If you don’t already own an instrument, you can look online to buy one, head to your local music store, or possibly even check them out for free at your local library. This would be a great option to find out if it is a hobby you enjoy before making a major investment.

Start a Book Club

Reading is the best workout for your brain and can greatly improve your memory and brain function. The stories told in books can also spark emotional healing, motivate, and even empower the reader. Whether you are already an avid reader or just wanting to incorporate regular reading time into your lifestyle, starting a book club can turn reading into a more social hobby.

To get started, find a few friends who want to start reading more, pick a book you are all interested in, and meet regularly to discuss what you’ve read. There are many book club variations you could pursue, including specific genres, authors, time-eras, and more.

Take a Bike Ride

Hobbies that keep us active and moving are great. Cycling is an easy hobby to pick up no matter if you live in a busy city or a more isolated area and can be a fun hobby for the whole family. Whether you ride in the city or not, make sure to take proper safety precautions and wear a helmet.

When buying a bike, think about what kind you want. Will you be riding mostly on asphalt or on natural trails? The kind of biking you want to do will determine the kind of bike you buy. You can check out a local bike shop or try shopping online for your perfect bike and don’t be afraid of second-hand bikes, small bike improvements are relatively cheap.

These are just a few simple ideas for hobbies to pursue. Whether you’re dancing, biking, reading, or playing an instrument, you’re learning and growing. Whatever you choose to do in your free time, make sure to enjoy it.

About The Author: This post is courtesy of Dylan Wallace. Wallace started his passion project, PreventionConnect.org, to offer those in addiction recovery an online support community to help them get and stay well. In addition to providing peer counseling services for fellow recovering addicts, he spends most of his free time creating abstract art.