Five Hobbies That Can Actually Good for You

We are all guilty of having hobbies that might not be the best for our health (binging watching TV shows or pinning recipes you’ll probably never make, maybe?). But some hobbies can actually be good for us. Not all of them may specifically be good for promoting weight loss, as so many gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients are striving for, but they can indirectly help us be more active, use our brain, or occupy our time in a way that leaves less time for more our less than stellar hobbies.

See if one of these hobbies catches your interest:

• Dancing

  It doesn’t have to be formal dance lessons, just dancing in the privacy of your home can be good. Dancing is a great cardio workout and it’s fun. With a partner or without, either way it’s good for your heart as well as your waistline.

• Gardening

  It may not seem like exercise, but it can be. Pulling weeds, digging holes, planting seeds or seedlings, reaching for tools, tending to crops, trimming branches, or cutting flowers can all burn calories. Gardening has been associated with a lower risk of dementia and reduced risk of heart attack or stroke. Growing vegetables or fruits can also help promote healthier eating. It’s like all around winning.

• Writing

  OK, so writing is rather a sedentary hobby, but consider it’s other benefits: improvements in memory, reduced stress levels, and improvements in sleep habits. Creative writing can be cathartic, nonfiction writing promotes learning, and even just journaling your thoughts or what you are grateful for can be beneficial. Lack of sleep can have negative effects on the body as well as the appetite, so don’t overlook this potentially powerful tool.

• Music

  This can be both playing music or listening to it. While the action of playing an instrument can burn calories, listening to music can be beneficial to your health as well. Music has been associated with boosting the immune system and lowering stress and anxiety levels, including reducing cortisol levels. Sometimes listening to music leads to dancing, which as we discussed above can be good for you, too.

• Owning a Pet

  Owning a pet can be good for us in so many ways. It can reduce loneliness, lead to opportunities for exercise, and increase socialization. Physically, pet ownership can have benefits as well: decreased blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduced triglyceride levels. A pet may not be right for everyone, but it’s proven to be good for a lot of people. Consider if it’s an option for you.

Hobbies can enrich our lives and also improve our health. If you have a hobby that’s good for you and your health, but all means stick with it. But, if you’re looking for a better way to spend your free time, consider one or more of these hobbies that could actually be good for you, your health, your heart, and your weight.

These suggestions are offered by Dr. Shillingford, M.D., P.A., a Center of Excellence Surgeon specializing in gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band surgery. Dr. Shillingford’s reputation for excellent surgical skills and comfortable bedside manner attract patients from all over Florida, including Miami, Tampa, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, and Jacksonville. His bariatric weight loss patients receive top notch care during their hospital stay at Northwest Medical Center’s Center for Excellence in Bariatric Surgery, where he serves as Medical Director, and during their follow up care in his Boca Raton office.