In our working lives, if we are lucky, most of us have an opportunity to progress our career, to learn new skills and to earn money. In domestic settings, whether you live alone, with a group of friends or are in a relationship with someone, you probably have to do or share household chores. Outside of these two arenas, there’s a third area where you can choose to do activities you positively enjoy in your leisure time. Hobbies or pastimes are known to be beneficial, as they allow you to relax and unwind, making them good for your health. Check out the many opportunities your preferred hobby can bring to your life.

Stress management

Health professionals often advocate taking up a hobby as a way of helping to manage stress. Doing something you really love improves your sense of wel-lbeing, and if you participate in group activities, you may find that you work well with other people and make new friends. Employers too are realizing that a happy workforce is a more productive one, and many encourage employees to participate in sports activities, explore new places on group outings or become members of a choir, for example. In fact, taking time out from work can really help you to refocus your mind and energy when you resume your job. There are plenty of choices when it comes to finding activities that engage you. Here are a few examples of things you might like to consider, and why:

Going solo

If finding a bit of peace and quiet is your idea of a perfect day, then there are a number of hobbies you might want to try out. For some, fishing is reckoned to be quite an idyllic way of slowly passing time. If you opt for a quiet spot on the banks of a river, you may get an occasional nod from fellow fishermen, but they are unlikely to be overly chatty, knowing that fish are easily disturbed. With a bit of practice, as a successful fisherman you could soon be catching your supper on a regular basis. There is always the option to take part in fishing competitions when you feel like trying something a bit more competitive.

If you enjoy a run in the fresh air as opposed to running on the treadmill in the gym, there are plenty of scenic parks and green spaces that will accommodate a solo run. Plug in your earbuds and listen to your favorite tracks when you’re out and about. You’ll feel better both mentally and physically, and eventually, you may get additional enjoyment from taking part in occasional fun runs for charitable causes or mini marathons with other runners.

Arts and crafts

Apart from team efforts such as bands, theater groups and choirs, there are many creative hobbies that you can pursue alone. Writing, painting and photography are just three examples. As a writer, you can develop your individual style and choose the type of material you want to create. If you turn out to be good at it, today’s opportunities for freelance writers and self-publishing might even help you to make a bit of money. You might get articles accepted for publishing online or in print, or a script accepted for a production on stage or radio. If you find you have the imagination and the luck of England’s renowned Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, you could go from pauper to prince in a very short time indeed.

There are also plenty of opportunities to explore when it comes to drawing and painting. Local art groups are a good way to meet fellow enthusiasts – most artists, however, work alone most of the time. If you find you have a talent, smaller art galleries and craft shops may take an interest if they like your style and sell the work you produce. This is a great way to make a name for yourself as an amateur and may even lead to professional commissions. The famous American printmaker and painter James Whistler endured an unsuccessful three-year spell at West Point and then got stuck in a boring job before becoming determined to make his living as an artist.

Photography is one of those skilled occupations that combine artistic ability and technical competence. If you delight in taking pictures and opt to specialize in a particular genre – for example, travel, landscapes or animals – you can create a specialist website that could be very lucrative. You can also sell your best photos or videos to sites such as Dreamstime, which is used by both amateurs and professionals so that their images are made available across the globe. Pennsylvania-born photojournalist Steven McCurry was thrust into the spotlight for a photo that made the cover of National Geographic, entitled ‘Afghan Girl.’ His first interest was in theater arts; however, he found he had a natural gift for photography.

Teamwork

If you like company then there are plenty of team sports to take up as a hobby, and playing baseball or football will help you to meet new people and stay fit. Talking of fitness, you might want to consider becoming a personal trainer as a way of turning your hobby into a profession. Gyms are always looking for new talent, and personal clients often pay more than fitness clubs. Once you are confident about your abilities, it’s straightforward to find a short course that will award you a certificate of excellence. This type of qualification will enhance your value to your customers.

Whatever you choose, as long as you love what you do and develop your skills and expertise, you can likely turn your favorite hobby into a fee-earning opportunity. Use social media to advertise your activities and you might be surprised how many friends or followers take an interest in what you are doing. That’s the way to build your clientele and turn your pastime into the chance to promote a unique earning plan.