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It’s a truth that most of us have a very busy lifestyle. So much so that carving out the time to try something new can be a difficult task. But now that we’re encouraged to practice social distancing and spend most of our days inside our homes, this gives us the perfect opportunity to pick up a fun and exciting hobby.
Other than helping us pass time, trying out a new hobby can also enhance other aspects of our lives. Learning a new hobby can help us be more productive at work, improve our physical health, and even alleviate some of our stress. To help you get started, we’ve listed down five of the best hobbies to keep you engaged for hours on end.
© Can Stock Photo / Diego_cervo
Learn a Musical Instrument
While it is best to learn a new instrument at an early age, as you will have an easier time absorbing new information and developing the skills, you can certainly pick up this hobby no matter how old you are.
So if this all sounds interesting to you, it’s important to understand that there are a variety of musical instruments out there for you to learn — from guitars and folk instruments, to keyboards and drums.
Choose an instrument you think you can enjoy based on your favorite music genres, as well as what can reasonably fit into your home or living space. Even if you never master your chosen instrument, at least you get to learn the basics and appreciate the joy of playing music, all while also improving your cognitive skills.
Pick Up a Foreign Language
Another great skill to learn now is speaking another language. More than just something to impress your friends at parties, learning a second language can also keep your mind sharp and widen your career choices.
Before you enroll yourself in expensive language classes, familiarize yourself first with the subject matter at hand by consuming media in your chosen second language and trying language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel. Downloading language learning apps are a cheap way to get you started on your language practice and can give you a headstart on your virtual language classes,
Make Woodworking Projects
If you’re looking to get your hands dirty, you might enjoy woodworking as a hobby. As long as you have the right equipment, know the basic safety measures, and have a desire to create something, you can start with working on DIY wood projects.
What’s great about woodworking is that it gives you the chance to have some alone time, while also having a physical output that you can use or even give out as gifts. From handy shoe storage stools to simple bookends, you can create just about anything as long as you have the time, patience, and enough wood.
Master a Programming Language
A lot of people regard coding as an important skill to have, especially now that everything in our world revolves around tech. Learning to code is a great way to exercise your logical thinking and improve your problem-solving skills.
Other than that, masterfully knowing how to use a programming language can also open a ton of opportunities for you, from making money on the side by creating websites to advancing your professional career. To start with this hobby, look for free coding lessons like the ones offered on Codeacademy and edX.
Pursue the Art of Writing
Writing is one of the easiest hobbies to learn. Whether you have the desire to tell wonderfully crafted stories or you just want to document your day, writing as a hobby is one of the easiest to take up.
Simply pick up a pen and start putting down your thoughts on paper. It can be a little daunting to start writing, especially if you have the aim to get published, but if you’re just writing for yourself, this shouldn’t matter much. If you want to get your write-ups out there, consider starting an online blog. In the event that your blog gains traction, you might soon see yourself getting paid to write about your travels or even get sponsorships with different brands.
This year is the perfect time to start a new hobby. For more ideas we have plenty of lifestyle articles to help guide you to self-improvement.
