Why having a hobby could improve your chances of truly relaxing on your next holiday
4 January 2024
How do you truly relax on holiday? If the answer is flopping on the beach and not moving for a week, then you may be doing it all wrong. Studies have proven that practicing a hobby during your time off could be more beneficial to your mental health and well-being than spending a week in a sedate state of semi-consciousness.
The movement towards the ‘hobbi-day’ is set to take off in 2024 as we seek to recapture the joy of actively doing something as a new form of wellness. During the pandemic, six out of ten Brits reportedly took up hobbies such as baking, gardening, and crafts as a form of self-care. While most vowed to keep up their newfound joyful habits, the reality is that as we adjusted back into our busy lives, the time slipped away from us, and hobbies somehow fell by the wayside.
With this in mind, there are now more ways than ever to stay at a hotel that offers experiences to reconnect with old childhood hobbies such as horse-riding, painting, and singing or try new passions such as pottery that will give us a pleasurable hit of dopamine. This could be the kickstart you need to pick up a good habit that can impact your longer-term health, which is more than an afternoon in the spa could ever do.
Why could a hobbi-day be good for you?
Taking time out to practice a hobby can be an incredibly powerful way of transforming your health and well-being. Scientists believe that using a pleasurable activity to tap into the creative right side of your brain helps distract the more critical, stressed-out left side of your brain, leaving you feeling happier and relaxed.
Studies also prove that hobbies deliver a happy hit of dopamine, which has been linked to stave off mild depression, lower heart rates, and potentially lower the risk of dementia.
Just trying a hobby once on holiday can “kickstart our reward system and subsequently our motivation to do the hobby again,” says Professor Ciara McCabe, an Associate Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at the University of Reading. Physical hobbies can improve your fitness, while others can enhance your brain function. Research suggests that some hobbies—like playing a musical instrument—can improve your memory, while artistic hobbies are reported to help prevent dementia later in life.
Taking up hobbies can also have a significant impact on your longer-term happiness as you get older. According to a 2023 global study that looked at 90,000 people across 14 countries, the places where people participated in hobbies saw a decrease in depressive symptoms and increases in happiness and life satisfaction.
Dr. Karen Mak, who headed up the research at the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, said hobbies have the potential to protect older people from age-related decline in mental health and well-being. “Of the four outcomes, life satisfaction was most strongly linked to hobby engagement.” Hobbies may contribute to life satisfaction in our later years through various mechanisms, including feeling in control of our minds and bodies, finding a purpose in life, and feeling competent in tackling daily issues.
So there you have it; if you want to have a happy holiday, it’s time to take a hobbi-day.
The best places to experience a hobbi-day in Europe
Bull Burford, England
Bull Burford has all the chocolate box appeal that tourists flock to the Cotswolds for, but it is the experiences on the menu that elevate a weekend away to the ultimate getaway. Guests can use the science of distracting the busy left brain with creative hobbies like ceramics, knitting, singing, or playing the drums. After engaging in their hobbies, guests will be encouraged to retire to one of the communal dining areas adorned with artworks from private collections and bond over their shared experiences.
Gleneagles, Scotland
This Scottish grand dame fully embraces nature’s playground by utilizing its stunning landscape for various outdoor hobbies that lift the spirits. The 50-acre equestrian center welcomes participants of all ages for their first horse ride and introduces them to the art of dressage and show jumping. Lessons in archery and fishing enhance the breathtaking Scottish Highland scenery.
Hotel Castello di Reschio, Italy
At Hotel Castello di Reschio, guests are encouraged to engage with the stunning Umbrian countryside and reconnect with creative hobbies such as calligraphy, basket making, and embroidery. Local master craftspeople teach skills passed down over generations, ensuring that attendees not only create pieces of art but feel inspired to continue their hobbies at home.
Villa Lena, Italy
Villa Lena, located between Pisa and Florence, offers guests opportunities to dive into creativity, from pasta-making workshops to lessons in flower painting and foraging. It’s easy to feel inspired to adopt new hobbies in such a beautiful setting.
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Portugal
At São Lourenço do Barrocal, guests can immerse themselves in ‘Craft and Culture’ experiences, learning traditional artistry from local artisans like pottery-making and blanket making, all while enjoying the serene Alentejo landscape.
Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
Pine Cliffs Resort transforms cooking into a delightful hobby with lessons ranging from pastry making to plant-based dishes and the region’s famous Cataplana. It also provides opportunities for physical hobbies such as tennis and golf, helping guests rediscover their love for sports.
Son Vell, Menorca
At the 18th-century manor house of Son Vell, stargazing is a rewarding hobby, made easy by experienced guides. For those who prefer sunny activities, options include paddleboarding, horseback riding, or engaging in local crafts.
Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk
Wilderness Reserve provides a chance for guests to reconnect with nature through hobbies like birdwatching, paddleboarding, and bushcraft. Cooking enthusiasts can learn from professionals in a gourmet experience designed to inspire culinary creativity.
Thyme, Gloucestershire
Thyme offers a “calendar of happenings,” filled with seasonal lessons on how to enjoy hobbies guided by its beautiful botanical gardens. From gardening to artisanal crafts, guests are inspired to embrace new skills in a nurturing environment.
