Today, pursuing a hobby can be a daunting task in itself.
There’s always something “more important” that needs to be done. From work, catching up with errands, and looking after the kids—the list goes on and on.
This rings truer among modern women who not only keep the balance at home but also hustle their way through the corporate world. Who’s got the time to do something less valuable?
The truth is, finding a good hobby you enjoy is more valuable than you think. It’s even a must to keep a good life balance.
Why You Need a Hobby
We are surrounded by distractions today more than ever. From social media to Netflix, you only need to pick your poison. Minutes turn into hours when we scroll through our feeds for the most part of our day. And that’s precious time better spent on healthier things.
If you need more convincing, here are three ultimate reasons why you need a hobby, pronto:
- Hobbies relieve stress.
Whether we like it or not, stress is a normal part of life. A little stress gives us the motivation to thrive and overcome challenges. But too much stress can also be detrimental to our health.
Having a hobby can help you deal with stress better. Going to a yoga class or reading a favorite book do not merely distract you from your stressors. They remind you that there are more aspects in life than what’s stressing you out.
It tells you that you’re not just an employee. You’re also an artist, a dancer, or whatever you want to be.
- Hobbies help build connections.
Some hobbies can be done alone, but most of them urge us to meet other people who share the same passion.
Social connection is a key ingredient to a meaningful life. And hobbies give you a sense of belongingness to a certain community.
You may have signed up for a pottery class for the activity itself. But before you know it, you’re forming new ties with your classmates—and even forming lifelong friendships with them.
- Hobbies contribute to your personal growth.
Hobbies are not only great conversation starters. They also make your identity more colorful.
Unlike passive leisure, a good hobby—like sports or an art project—adds and improves your skills. Simply reading a good book even lets you learn something new each day.
And when you’re doing something to improve yourself, that’s how you know you’re going the right path.
5 Interesting Hobbies Women Enjoy
It’s undeniable that having a hobby is good for you. But what if you don’t have a hobby yet?
Don’t worry. It isn’t too late to find one you’ll enjoy and likely commit to in the long run. Consider these five unique hobbies for women, and see what fits you best!
1. Acting
You don’t have to be an aspiring Broadway actor to enroll in acting classes. Acting makes an excellent hobby that helps boost confidence and communication skills. So it’s a must-try for people who have been shy all their lives.
If you think about going on Broadway or doing TV shows when you think of acting, you’re not alone. But there’s really more to acting than just performing for an audience.
Before you sign up for any acting class, it’s best to know which course you most likely prefer. Here are some options to consider:
- Acting technique. This class is for aspiring actors who dream of becoming Hollywood-famous.
- Audition technique. This class prepares you for the audition and callback process for professional roles.
- Improvisation. This class is for people who want to practice their improv skills, which is an asset good actors and comedians have.
- Vocal coaching. Don’t confuse this with singing. Vocal classes are essential for actors, as voice matters in how they tell a story.
- Scene study. Scene study is the art of studying and analyzing scenes, whether behind or in front of the camera.
Find a local art school or acting camp near you. There are lots of resources you can find online.
2. Camping
If you’ve been keeping an adventurous spirit within, then camping can be the perfect hobby for you. Camping doesn’t only relieve stress, it could also be an escape from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.
So if you’re tired of the same old nine-to-five routine, pack up your bags and start hitting that trail.
Still new to camping and don’t know where to start? Here’s a quick camping starter pack for beginners like you:
- Pick a good campsite. If it’s your first time camping, consider booking a campsite with a nearby town to buy supplies from. It’s a plus if the campsite has access to toilets and other facilities.
- Buy a tent and pitch one. There are different types of tents. But make sure to get one that fits you and your camping buddies. Of course, practice pitching your tent at home before hitting it off.
- Get a good sleeping bag. Make sure to get a sleeping bag that can withstand extreme temperatures, especially at night.
- Prepare a camping essentials list. This ensures you don’t miss out on the most important stuff.
Camping is a great way to relax and be one with nature, but you should always keep safety and survival in mind, especially if you’re a beginner.
Make sure to prepare the following ahead of time: the proper gear, camping essentials, and your mind and body.
3. Pole dancing
A lot of women get intimidated with pole dancing. But once you get to try it, you could be looking into a hobby you’ll keep for life.
Pole dancing has a ton of benefits to the mind and body. It’s even known to help women heal from chronic pain!
The activity may seem like just a dance, but it actually get muscles working and the heart pumping. Having pole dancing as a hobby will
- increase strength, particularly on your upper body, core, and thighs;
- improve heart health, lowering your risk for strokes and heart attacks;
- help burn calories and lose weight;
- make you more flexible, lowering your risk of muscle injury;
- reduce stress and anxiety;
- help you find your natural rhythm; and
- bring out your inner confidence.
Here’s a tip: If you don’t feel confident enough, find a friend or acquaintance who can enroll to a pole dancing class with you. Performing a hobby with someone you know can help release your inhibitions. Not only that, it can make the activity even more fun!
4. Learning a language
Learning a second language is a hobby that challenges your mind. Why learn a new language? The more important question is, Why not?
Speaking another language is not only an added skill, you’ll also reap amazing mental benefits. And it’s backed by science!
- It makes you smarter. Learning a foreign language isn’t easy, which is why doing so sharpens the mind. It improves problem-solving and negotiation skills.
- It helps you multitask. Multilingual people can jump from one system of speech to another. This makes it easier for them to juggle between tasks.
- It keeps dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay. Studies show that monolingual adults tend to get the first signs of dementia at 71.4 years old. Multilingual adults, on the other hand, get them much later at age 75.5.
- It sharpens your memory. The brain, like a muscle, works better with exercise. Consider learning a language a mental exercise that stimulates the brain.
You can often find language schools near you. But if you prefer staying at home, consider enrolling in an online course. You can even find online resources and do some self-study.
5. Shooting
Gone are the days when shooting was considered an unladylike hobby. Today, we see a lot of women participate in shooting sports. In fact, 37 percent of new target shooters today are women, which is a great improvement from 10 percent back in 2009.
Women are even participating—and winning—in Olympic shooting. This only means that women don’t need to be afraid to hold a gun, moreso shoot it.
Shooting is an excellent sport and recreational activity. When you use it with safety in mind, you’ll likely enjoy the thrill and excitement it brings. Learning how to shoot a gun can even save yours or others’ life, though it’s the least of the reasons we should use this skill.
You can kickstart your newfound hobby by visiting a local shooting range. And when you decide to take it seriously, you’ll need to buy your own handgun.
For beginners, you’ll likely be able to handle a .22 caliber handgun. It’s perfect for informal target practice or plinking. And it can also compete in shooting contests. Most of all, it won’t cost you a fortune to own a .22 cal compared to a larger caliber gun.
Conclusion
Although having a favorite pastime is important, you don’t have to feel like you need to join every single class possible (although you can if you want). The thing is, when you’re truly interested in something, that hobby will come to mind naturally. And you’ll get the most out of it.
