One of the very best things about chess is the way it requires those who play it to consider the board from the other player’s perspective. You’ll never be a very good chess player if you can’t see the moves your opponent might make. A great game of chess requires two players who are actively aware of the possibilities before each of them and how those possibilities change with every move on the board. This is wonderful for a number of reasons, the most apparent being that it challenges those who play to develop and deepen their theory of mind, an integral part of having empathy (Stanborough, 2020).

What would you say if I told you that fishing is one of the healthiest, easiest hobbies out there? Don’t believe me? Let’s see if I can convince you! 

I recently met a new friend who moved to the United States with her family from Chile. She had been living here less than a year when we were first introduced, and the language barrier is a challenge for both of us.

Have you ever seen a bride karate chop a board in half while wearing her wedding dress? I have! Several years ago, I was lucky enough to photograph a wedding where the bride and groom were both karate instructors so their reception was… shall we say, interesting?

There is one go-to for spending my time that never, ever seems to fail: volunteering. Perhaps part of it is the fact that whenever I volunteer somewhere, I get the satisfaction of knowing that I’m making a difference in the community.

There are many ways to approach this hobby while keeping the cost down. If pottery is something that interests you, read on to see how you can bring more of it into your life!

When my husband’s grandparents died, his parents received the bulk of what they’d spent the better part of their lifetimes together collecting: salt and pepper shakers. Yep, you read that correctly. Salt and pepper shakers.

I’m a huge perfectionist, and unfortunately, that travels over into my art (or the art I attempt to make). Basically, I struggle to do a lot of creative things because I have this idea in my head of how it should look (immaculate), but my hands don’t get the memo.

You’re standing among a group of people you don’t know while waiting for a friend. Instead of engaging in a conversation, you reach for your phone. You’re sitting in traffic, your mind wanders, and you pick up your phone.

I think most people fall into one of two categories in life: those who like to camp and those who don’t. It’s funny but true! Most individuals I’ve spoken with side strongly one way or the other. Either it’s, “Camping?! You mean out with the bugs and the raccoons and stuff?

Thinking it would be the perfect opportunity to connect more with the book, we bought our tickets and attended the show. We were blown away by the acting, the energy, and excitement of the story.

Eventually, I came up with a list of things that would make us smile and give us some exercise. Here are a few of the hobbies we decided to pursue either as a family or individually that check both the fun and good for you boxes!

When I was in elementary school, I bought a diary at the school’s book fair. I thought it was so neat with it’s pretty pink cover and a lock and key to keep all my secrets safe. I had grand ideas of all of the things I would “tell” my diary. 

Of course, the most obvious is books - you can find countless books dealing with just about every subject under the sun. Interested in cooking in a new way? Would you like to try out a new art form? How about planning a trip to somewhere you’ve never been? Yep, there is a book for that!

I was one of those kids who loved playing board or card games. I was also the same kid who hated to lose at Monopoly, but my drive to win eventually led me to learn how to strategize. Playing games is a great way to engage your brain and increase your enjoyment levels.

Here are a few ways you can take pretty normal, everyday activities and turn them into something more. Not only will you learn a lot in the process, but you’ll have a sense of accomplishment when you complete what you set out to do!

What comes to mind when you think of the words “date night?” Do you picture a young couple at a fancy restaurant, or maybe a married couple out on the town? Does date night always have to involve a romantic relationship?

Yoga can help relieve lower back pain and neck pain, as well as manage chronic pain. It can also be a great way to get into shape or lose weight (NCCIH, 2021). It helps build muscle mass, strength, endurance, and of course, flexibility.

At the end of a long, stressful day, the last thing you want to do is think about having to cook something. These days, it’s easier than ever to just pick up your phone and order your dinner through an app or pull a frozen dinner from the freezer.

Oliver Rundell, the Chorus Master of Opera North, put it well when he said, “Everybody has a voice and everybody can sing. It’s a brilliant way of just giving yourself some time. Simply tune out the rest of the world and enjoy the physical sensation of breathing in and creating a note with your body” (Opera North, 2021).