How Hobbies And Health Go Hand In Hand
We all want to be healthy and look svelte. Or at least look like we take care of ourselves.
When it comes to weight, for instance, losing it isn’t easy, but keeping weight off is even harder, and studies show that most exercise plans and diets fail because they are unsustainable short-term measures. Lifestyle changes are the name of the game when it comes to long-term health, and that means habits–and hobbies. One way to stay healthy–and perhaps shed a few pounds–is to incorporate some simple, healthy hobbies into your daily or weekly routine. Here’s our tips on combining hobbies and health.
Stick with it
The healthiest hobby is the healthy hobby you stick with! There are all sorts of active hobbies and habits that can help you shed pounds and build muscle. Comparing and contrasting them is only helpful to a point. Remember, the whole idea here is that you want to choose an activity you’ll stick with–so choosing a hobby based on its health benefits alone, without accounting for your own interest, is a losing proposition.
Group activities
With that said, we certainly have some suggestions. For instance, if you’re a gamer looking for more action outside of your virtual life, you may want to try your hands at martial arts or boxing, say trainers at The Arena, a combat sports gym. You don’t necessarily have to become an MMA fighter to adopt these hobbies, of course: lessons and individual practice are also fun and good for you.
Going it alone
If you are more solo kind of person, an individual sport like rock climbing would be a better choice. Rock gyms make it easy to learn and practice in all seasons and weather. And when the sun appears outside, you can, too! Sports like this–along with hiking, cycling, running, and simply walking–are great ways to get fresh air and sunlight. Since many of us have hobbies that are indoor activities, getting out and about might be a wise move.
Adapt your current routine
You could also try to make your existing hobbies a bit more active. Are you in a band? Simply standing while you play guitar is healthier than sitting, and the moving around you’ll do as a band member–both on stage and when you’re lugging your instrument to practice–help make the activity a little less calorie-neutral. There are even ways to exercise when playing video games. Every little bit helps!
Meeting your goals will mean changing your lifestyle, and that means sustainable habits and hobbies. So try out a few and follow your passions while using your willpower to make a habit of eating well and workout out. Good luck!
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” — Jim Rohn