person swimming in body of water Jim De Ramos

Exercising Hobbies

Hobbies and Exercising

On the importance of exercise, our tendency to skip it, and why hobbies can help us be more physically active.

Exercise is the miracle cure we’ve always had, but for too long we’ve neglected to take our recommended dose.

Benefits of exercise – NHS

Exercise is good for us, for sure

According to the World Health Organization:

  • Physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies, and minds.
  • Physical activity contributes to preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
  • Physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
  • Physical activity enhances thinking, learning, and judgment skills.
  • Physical activity ensures healthy growth and development in young people.
  • Physical activity improves overall well-being.

We know exercise is good for us. Yet still we skip physical activity too often:

Globally, 1 in 4 adults do not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity.

Physical activity – world Health Organization

Why do we neglect exercise?

One simple and likely reason is that we treat physical activity as a chore – and we are used to dodging chores. There is work in working out, and we rather avoid work.

When we pursue a hobby, on the other hand, physical exercise can become a secondary aspect, or even a side effect, rather than a burdensome and tedious task. Immersed in an engaging leisure activity, we can unconsciously be more physically active.

Find a hobby to keep you effortlessly active

Explore the exercise hobbies list, and find one to keep you joyfully exercised.

Explore all hobbies →