10 Healthy Hobbies for Adults To Try

The best way to make exercise and healthy living work for you in the long run is to make things fun. There are some fantastic hobbies you can take up that are both enjoyable and good for your health. Having hobbies is actually good for you! Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from low mood and depression.  Here are ten healthy hobbies for adults that will get you active in fun ways.

Healthy Hobbies for Adults:

1. Dancing

Who doesn’t love to dance? Dancing is natural for all human beings, so why not use it to be social and get fit? Join a local dance class, or spend your evenings out at the local nightclub. If you have a partner, go dancing as a couple, or use the experience to meet new people. Dancing provides a great cardiovascular workout, but it’s also a lot of fun.

2. Photography

 

Strolling through the rainforest canopy Capilano Suspension Bridge Park #capilano #exploremore #britishcolumbia

A photo posted by Family Focus (@familyfocusblog) on Aug 31, 2015 at 12:36pm PDT

But not just any old type of photography… nature photography in the wilds of British Columbia for example. Yes, get out and about in the great outdoors in search of landscapes, flora and fauna, and you will get some great workouts without even realizing it. Make sure you invest in a good pair of hiking shoes though!

3. Get a pet

Owning a pet is a great responsibility, but owning a dog is a lifestyle. Dogs need to be walked at least twice a day, but they also love to play and spend time with their owners. Owning a dog will get you out and about more, and give you some much-needed workouts in the open air. However, there is evidence to suggest that contact with animals is good for other areas of our health – lowering stress levels and blood pressure.Use the BellaBeat fitness tracker to track your activity levels when you take your dog for a walk – you might be surprised at how much ground you cover.  Being active with your pet is an excellent choice of healthy hobbies for adults.

4. Volunteer work

 

Working the trails with #tomsofmaine #socialgood #emmonspreserve #kennebunkport conservation trust #gctotomsofmaine #volunteering   A photo posted by Family Focus (@familyfocusblog) on Sep 10, 2015 at 12:43pm PDT

Whether you are volunteering to help the elderly in their home or participating in building projects within the local community, a lot of volunteer work allows you to help people and stay active at the same time.

5. Gardening

A day in the garden – weeding, mowing the lawn, planting flowers and landscaping – is a great way to burn calories. Not only can you get a cardiovascular workout in your garden, you can work a range of muscle groups without even realizing it. You will also benefit from the vitamin D delivered by the sun’s rays. And what better way to complete your healthy lifestyle than your own vegetable garden?

6. Traveling

Whether you want to explore the great cities of the world or take trips off the beaten track, traveling is a great way to stay active and eat healthily. Not only that, traveling is good for your stress levels – helping you to stay relaxed and stress-free.

7. Get in the kitchen

The single most important part of a healthy lifestyle is a healthy diet. Instead of relying on pre-prepared meals and convenience foods, make the time to cook your own meals from scratch. Not only is cooking a great way to relax, it helps you to stay in control of what you eat. If you’re concerned that cooking will make it difficult to control your calorie intake, a calorie counter will help you to track how much you eat. Becoming interested in food prep from scratch is a great choice of healthy hobbies for adults.

8. Blogging

OK, so blogging involves sitting at a computer screen for long periods of the day, but blogging about fitness and health issues might provide you with the motivation you need to make permanent changes to your lifestyle. Moreover, blogging will help you to meet like-minded people who want to make permanent changes to their activity levels and diet. Writing about your own experiences and sharing them with the world can also be therapeutic, which can help to reduce your stress and anxiety levels.

9. Reading

They say that reading is good for the soul, as it transports us somewhere else, forces us to think and gives us the opportunity to use our own imagination. And unlike the TV, you can enjoy a book pretty much anywhere. Combine your love of reading with long walks in the countryside, and you can reap the rewards of two different hobbies at the same time.

10. Swimming

Swimming is great exercise for the body, as it delivers a workout for your heart, lungs and muscles without putting any strain on your joints. Just 30 minutes in the pool, three times a week will tone your body, improve your cardiovascular fitness and boost your energy levels.  Try aqua aerobics!

Do you engage in any healthy hobbies for adults?  We’d love to hear about your ideas for healthy hobbies in the comments below or tag us on social @familyfocusblog

Oh, and don’t forget crafts for adults!