Hobbies Prevent Boredom

Boredom is the enemy of the mind. A bored mind is one that teeters on the brink of loosing its edge. OK, maybe that’s a bit of overkill, but it is certainly the enemy of writers.

You know the symptoms. You find yourself playing one too many computer games or watching one too many old reruns on TV. Instead of being productive and filling your time doing things that are useful or fulfilling, you fill your time with junk food for the mind. That’s where hobbies can come in.

Hobbies can be therapeutic — they relieve stress and get the activate the mind. In this post, you’ll find hobby ideas for every sort of person, from the intellectual to the athlete, from the homemaker to the attorney.

Active Hobbies
Many times we are bored because we have become too inactive. If this is your problem, you might like a sports hobby. Have you ever tried tennis? How about golf? Many people simply love bowling, and it becomes an important part of their lives. Sports hobbies get you out of the house and often are a way to make friends with others. Then again, some active hobbies can be enjoyed in our own homes, such as weight lifting and doing aerobic dance to a video.

Speaking of aerobic dance, dancing is another great pastime. When you think of hobby ideas, don’t forget the many forms of dance. For several years I was a belly dancer — it helped keep me busy and improved my self-image. Square dancing is fun for people who like getting together with groups, while ballet and modern dance appeal to the more contemplative souls. And while we’re on contemplation, you might enjoy doing yoga stretches as a hobby.

Outdoor Hobbies
Maybe we’re feeling bored and listless because you’ve been cooped up in the house too long (a common problem among writers). If so, have you ever thought of taking up canoing, hiking, or jogging? How about getting involved with an environmental group? In many states, you can form groups to clean riverbanks and monitor water quality, and the state will provide perks such as t-shirts, work gloves, and first-aid kits. Or maybe you’d like studying the flora and fauna of your region. I especially love taking pictures of flowers and have a website dedicated to that hobby (www.carmasflowerama.com). It can be great fun to stroll through the woods and fields with a field guide, learning to identify each wildflower, insect, tree, and bird.

Traditional Hobbies
Then there are the hobbies that most people think of when they hear the word “hobby”: stamp collecting, coin collecting, knitting, scrapbooking, crochet and more. Some people love to go “antiquing” — searching the antique stores and flea markets for good buys. Candle making, soap making, and many other old-time crafts are being enjoyed again. Maybe you’d enjoy learning to bake specialty breads from around the world. If so, check out my website www.carmascookery.com.

And Now For Something Completely Different
Being a creative professional, maybe you’d like a creative hobby? You could take part in a local theatre production or learn to play guitar. What about the fine arts of weaving tapestries or painting with oils? Truly, with all these hobby ideas, there is no reason to stay bored for long!