Get a Hobby -- You'll Live Longer!
By Sara Butler
Chiropractic care addresses more than just joint restrictions and dysfunction – it addresses your lifestyle choices too. Your chiropractor wants you to be healthy both in body and mind, which is why having a hobby is a great idea. Hobbies are a wonderful way to keep yourself active and engaged, and it turns out they can add a few years to your life, too! That’s right – hobbies are good for your health. Here are a few ways hobbies can help you to live longer and happier!
Improve Your Health
Going to the chiropractor keeps your body in line, but what about your mental health? You can work on improving different aspects of your mental health with hobbies. You can:
- Improve your memory – When you pick a hobby that challenges you mentally, you can improve your cognitive abilities. Hobbies such as Sudoku and crossword puzzles help to make new connections between brain cells such as speed, focus, and mental flexibility.
- Fight Depression and Stress – When you have a hobby you enjoy, it helps you to escape the stress of life, allowing you to focus on things that improve your mood and eventually your health.
- Help manage arthritis – You can improve your motor functions if you have arthritis in your hands with a hobby that helps to improve your strength, dexterity, and range of motion.
- Stay social – Depending on the hobby, it could potentially help you be more social. If you want to spend more time with your friends, then consider forming a club and having meetings in your home or someplace in the community to bring you together. It’s a great bonding experience for everyone!
A Few Good Hobbies
So, what kind of hobby should you try? Well, it depends on your interests and abilities, but a few things to consider are:
- Playing cards
- Gardening
- Meditation
- Cooking
- Reading
- Group exercise
- Music lessons
- Chess
- Ballroom dancing
- Birdwatching
- Martial arts
- Surfing
- Paddleboarding
- Knitting
- Writing
- Painting
- Learn a new language
Take some of the time you spend going through social media and instead dedicate it to a new hobby to help you feel more engaged. There are proven health benefits to picking up something new. If it doesn’t work out, try something else! The sky is the limit when it comes to new hobbies for you. Have you ever considered skydiving?
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.