1. Reading
Probably the most obvious hobby that can be useful is reading. With the right selection of literature, you will not only enjoy reading, but you will also increase your vocabulary, get your brain focused and exercise it at the same time.
2. Gardening
If you have a cottage or a vegetable garden, you are in luck. There are many benefits to be gained from this hobby. Firstly, being out in the fresh air is already a plus. Secondly, it is exercise, which has a positive effect on your body. Gardening reduces the risk of dementia and lowers cortisol (the stress hormone). And another plus is natural fruits and vegetables on the table.

3. meditation
Every one of us should meditate. Many people don't consider meditation a hobby, but we do! After all, you do it in your spare time and enjoy it. Meditation reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, and teaches concentration.

4. chess
Chess helps to develop cognitive skills. During the game both hemispheres of the brain work, both logical and abstract thinking are activated, the long term and short term memory is trained.

5. Playing the piano
Learning to play the piano not only entertains your friends at a party, but also has many additional benefits. Playing this musical instrument will improve your coordination and your cognitive abilities. If studies are to be believed, this hobby improves IQ by seven points in both children and adults.

6. Dancing
Dancing isn't just fun. It's also about exercise, reducing stress and increasing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.



7. Team sports
Joining a sports team is a great way of meeting new people and making new friends. Volleyball is a relatively easy sport for a beginner. You can learn to play very quickly. It is a great way to spend time with interesting people, which already has its perks.

8. Martial Arts
Learning martial arts has real value to you. For one thing, you'll gain self-defence skills. You never know when you might need it in life. Secondly, martial arts are not just physical exercises and various techniques, but also a very deep philosophy. You will need to learn focus and discipline. The practice will help you develop balance, endurance, coordination and strength, and unite your body and mind.

9. Blogging
We have written numerous articles on why you should blog. It helps you organise your thoughts and clear your head of anything superfluous if necessary. Not just throw thoughts away, but write them down so you can reread them later. Blogging makes you think about your achievements and life in general. After writing, you begin to think like a reader, i.e. looking at what you have written from the outside. It helps to evaluate any situation with an open mind.

In general, blogging can be combined with any hobby. And you can even make money on it. Find yourself a hobby, start describing on your blog why you chose this particular activity, what problems you face, what choices you make in difficult situations. You will find readers who like your hobby as much as you do.

10. Online courses
Knowledge is power. Learning something new makes you more confident. If you learn something that is related to your job, it can lead to a promotion and a pay rise. After all, learning stimulates your brain.

Learning anything today is very easy. You don't need to go to a course or institute. You just go to your Internet browser, find a course that suits you and learn something new.

11. learning a new language
Why can't learning a new language be a hobby? Why not reread your favourite author in the original? If you only know Russian, you can talk to 260 million people. Adding Spanish, for example, would increase that figure threefold. Plus, an additional foreign language would be a plus on your resume.

12. Knitting
Researchers say knitting can help those who suffer from depression or anxiety. It's akin to meditation: very relaxing. Knitting also helps concentration and reduces the risk of dementia. And, of course, your wardrobe will be filled with things you've made with your own hands.

I hope you have found your hobby and that it brings you happiness. Veronica