Too many people view hobbies as luxuries only enjoyed by those with enough wealth to enjoy free time. Hobbies, however, are not luxuries but rather, just one factor of many in a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that individuals who take time out of their days to engage in “self-selected, self-rewarding behavioral pursuits” were more likely to be happier, less stressed, less bored, and all around healthier. Individuals who engage in leisure activities are also more likely to perform better on the job, be more productive, and exercise greater creativity.
Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences offers residents and guests the opportunity to engage in healthy hobbies that diminish daily stress. Whether you’re looking for wellness tips or daily exercises in which to engage, you can find it all at Amrit. Until your visit, take up one or more of the hobbies below to begin boosting your wellness today.
Yoga
Regardless of your fitness level, age, or body type, you can benefit from yoga. Yoga offers numerous benefits and boosts both your physical and mental prowess. It also speeds up your metabolism, boosts your energy levels, and promotes circulatory and cardio health. One of the greatest benefits of yoga, however, is its ability to calm the brain and be more present. By practicing yoga for 30 to 60 minutes each day, you will find that you feel less stressed, more present, and more productive.
Travelling
When you remain in one place for too long, your mind and body become complacent. Though complacency seems like an innocent enough word, it can actually be detrimental to your mental health. If you allow it, complacency can make you feel as if you are trapped in the hamster wheel of life. Travelling is a great way to step out of your routine and try something new. When you travel, you broaden your horizons, deepen your compassion for humankind, and your perspectives. You meet new people, discover new cultures and even discover parts of yourself you didn’t know existed. As an added benefit, traveling also keeps you active, and on your feet.
Dancing
If you’re looking for wellness and hobbies to keep you fit and healthy, take up dancing. Dancing is one of the best exercises for both your physical and mental health. Studies show that this pastime strengthens bones and muscle, promotes heart health and boosts metabolism. It’s also a lot of fun, which is why a lot of wellness centers offer different forms of it, such as ballroom, hip-hop, jazz, and salsa.
Gardening
Many people shy away from gardening because they don’t want to get their hands dirty, but maybe getting their hands dirty is just what they need to do. Studies show that gardening helps to decrease stress and promotes self-esteem. Gardening also gets you outdoors, which offers several health benefits in and of itself. Some benefits of being outside include an improved immune system, enhanced creativity, and increased energy levels. Being outside also helps mitigate pain and improve your vision. Gardening is also a physical activity, meaning that while you plant pretty flowers and vegetables to eat, you’re also increasing your physical strength and flexibility.
Cooking
If you’re like many people and view cooking as a chore, it’s worth your while to try to shift your perspective so you can enjoy the many health benefits that come from cooking. Cooking keeps you from eating out, which saves you money.
Home cooked meals are also much healthier than restaurant meals, as they contain less sugar and less processed foods, which translates to higher energy levels and better mental health for you. In fact, studies show that eating home cooked meals five days a week is associated with a longer life span.
In addition to the health benefits of cooking, the activity is simply a great way to bond with family and friends. When you, your spouse and kids (if applicable) share in the joy of cooking, you cultivate a sense of belonging, comradery, and achievement that you wouldn’t have time to nurture otherwise.
Reading
There are countless obvious benefits to reading, such as it stimulates your mind, increases your knowledge, enhances your memory and boosts concentration levels. However, reading offers several other benefits, many of which most people don’t realize they’ve gained simply by picking up a book. For instance, reading reduces stress and promotes a sense of tranquility and well-being. It also fosters empathy, improves the conversations you have, builds your critical thinking capabilities, and promotes better sleep. One study’s findings also suggest that reading can help prevent depression.
Writing
Whether you journal about emotionally-charged or stressful experiences or you write creatively, putting a pen to paper or fingers to keyboard can really improve your mental well-being and overall health. Past studies have found that the act of putting your thoughts to paper without worrying about spelling, grammar, punctuation, or other writing conventions can reduce your stress levels and improve the quality of your sleep. It can also improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Individuals who live with cancer, Parkinson’s disease and other diseases and who write regularly have a better state of mind than those that don’t write
Whether you enjoy dancing, traveling, reading, or writing, find what makes you happy and take time to do it. When you make time for wellness and hobbies to keep you fit and healthy, you will notice a significant improvement in your mental health, your stress levels, and your overall quality of life. To enjoy a host of wellness activities on a daily basis, book your reservation at Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences today.
About the Author
Amy McDonald is a 30+ year health, wellness and sustainability expert who merges the best in resort hospitality and urban healthcare into integrated business models. A widely recognized and sought after innovator in transformational health and wellness programming, she is an expert in merging the best of resort hospitality with functional, integrative medicine into holistic models. Over the last 14 years, working with a diverse blend of seasoned industry experts, Amy leads teams through concept development and execution on an array of projects with national and global brands. To learn more about Amy, visit www.underatree.com
