Content Provided by the GBS Health & Wellness Team
From the Dietitian’s Desk
With Becca Rick, MS, RD
Intellectual wellness means expanding knowledge, skills, and interests to live a more stimulating life.
In our fast-paced culture, it can be challenging to find time to develop hobbies that foster balance and wellness. However, making time for hobbies and personal development has shown to increase life satisfaction, create a sense of peace, promote well-being, and contribute to better focus and enjoyment.
Try a New Hobby
Engaging in a hobby fosters a sense of purpose and can be a nice distraction from daily work and life responsibilities. Enjoy the freedom to explore new activities without the pressure to be an expert. Here are some ideas of hobbies you can try:
- Cooking/Baking
- Reading
- Hiking
- Arts (painting, drawing, or crafting)
- Knitting
- Yoga
- Creative Writing/Journaling
- Gardening
How to Get Started
Carve out time each week – set a routine with specified times throughout the week dedicated to taking a break for your hobby. This might mean watching less TV at night or waking up a little earlier each morning.
Recruit a friend or partner for support and accountability – this increases the likelihood of sticking to a new hobby, plus it can be a time to build stronger relationships and have fun together!
Share high and lows with others – keep friends and coworkers updated on a favorite hike, most recent baking adventure, or how the new garden is coming along. Sharing experiences with others allows for increased social support and may motivate these individuals to try something new as well.
No need to reinvent the wheel – there is nothing wrong with relying on the expertise of others when learning something new. YouTube or Google can provide helpful how-to tips for getting started. To really dive in, consider taking a class or purchasing a virtual course from a favorite painter, cook, musician, or yogi.
Take on a New Hobby: Cooking
Cooking is an excellent opportunity to develop a new skill that can be both fun and practical. Everybody needs to eat! Interested in pursuing cooking as a new hobby? Consider these five tips to get started without feeling overwhelmed.
Buy a new cookbook – choose an inspiring cookbook and start working through the recipes.
Invest in cooking staples – some of the essential kitchen items include a sharpened chef’s knife, a cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, a spatula, a nonstick pan, and a baking sheet.
Look up techniques online – if a recipe gives unfamiliar instructions, head over to YouTube or Google for quick and easy tutorials or guides.
Make something delicious – expand horizons and try something from the cookbook that looks delicious and interesting.
Enjoy the process – making mistakes is all part of the experience! Don’t get down if a recipe doesn’t turn out, instead see it as an opportunity for learning and improvement.
