Seven Hobbies that are Plain Better than Playing Video Games

Consumptive hobbies like watching movies and shows on streaming platforms like Netflix, perusing on social media platforms, and playing video games are not the best use of anyone’s time. While these hobbies are not inherently “bad,” they often yield limited positive outcomes. Instead, opting for more enriching and cost-effective hobbies can significantly contribute to personal growth, both individually and socially. Below are seven of the better hobbies for anyone to indulge on.

1. Gardening

In a comprehensive study exploring the effects of gardening¹, researchers have found a myriad of health benefits associated with engaging in gardening activities. These advantages include reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, an uplifted mood, lower BMI, improved quality of life, a strengthened sense of community, increased physical activity levels, and enhanced cognitive function. The analysis incorporated diverse participant demographics and settings, with subgroup analyses consistently highlighting positive effects of gardening on health across all categories.

Beyond its evident health advantages, gardening also bears economic impact – the adage “you reap what you sow” rings true. Cultivating your fruits, vegetables, or herbs provides some of the healthiest food options available. This is specially true when most gamers are factually obese and needs a healthy diet expeditiously. Even for those inclined towards decorative gardening, it remains a valuable and fulfilling hobby.

Even if your living space is limited, gardening can still be enjoyed even with indoor gardening. Moreover, diverse indoor gardening systems, such as soil-based, hydroponic, or aquaponic setups, cater to individual preferences and budgets, making indoor gardening a versatile and rewarding pursuit.

2. Exercising

While gardening is a hobby that requires exertion of effort, exercising is all about that exertion. Gamers are stereotyped as being fat. Even if this is not always true, anyone should be exercising, regardless of their BMI. There are several types of exercising hobbies, which are broken down below.

Gamers are stereotyped as being fat. Even if this is not always true, anyone should be exercising, regardless of their BMI.

Biking

Biking is a hobby that many people enjoy for various reasons. It is a form of physical activity that can improve your health, fitness, mood, and it is pretty environment-friendly too. It is also a way to explore new places, meet new people, and have fun. However, cycling also has some challenges that may discourage some people from taking it up as a hobby. One of them is the cost of cycling equipment and maintenance. Another one is the safety and accessibility issues that cyclists may face on the roads or trails.

Dancing

Dancing is a dynamic and enjoyable exercising hobby that offers a fantastic way to stay fit and express yourself creatively. Whether you prefer ballroom, salsa, hip-hop, or contemporary dance styles, engaging in regular dance sessions can improve flexibility, coordination, and balance. Dancing is not just a form of exercise; it’s also a great social activity that allows you to connect with others through dance classes, social events, or even in the comfort of your own home.

Swimming

Swimming is a refreshing and versatile exercising hobby that provides a full-body workout while being gentle on the joints. Whether the preference is swimming laps in a pool, open-water swimming in a lake or the ocean, or even aqua aerobics, this activity offers numerous health benefits. Swimming engages various muscle groups, improves cardiovascular fitness, and enhances lung capacity. Additionally, the rhythmic motion and immersion in water can have a calming effect on the mind, making it an excellent stress-relieving hobby. Swimming also allows enjoyment of the great outdoors and connect with nature, especially when swimming in natural bodies of water.

3. Volunteering

Volunteering is more than a hobby; it is a way of life that can enrich the person’s own well-being and the well-being of others. This is a great way to use anyone’s time. It can help anyone meet new people, learn new things, and make a difference in your community. Instead of spending hours playing video games, one can volunteer at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or rehabilitation center. You can also volunteer to tutor children or elderly adults. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of others.

4. Playing Musical Instruments

A study found that music interventions can improve mental health, such as reducing depression, anxiety, and stress, and enhancing mood, well-being, and life satisfaction.² It also found that music interventions can improve physical health, such as lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and pain, and increasing immune function and physical activity. The study even suggested that playing an instrument can be a particularly effective music intervention, as it can stimulate multiple brain regions, enhance cognitive function, and foster self-expression and social connection.

5. Reading a Book

It may seem strange to explain the merits of reading a book, but there are compelling reasons to do so. Reading a book not only broadens one’s knowledge but also enhances cognitive abilities and fosters empathy through immersion in different perspectives and stories. Moreover, it offers an invaluable escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, providing a tranquil refuge for the mind to explore, learn, and relax.

6. Learning New Skills

This is a catch-all hobby recommendation and even at advanced age, it is never too late to learn something new. It could be anything from small projects like bookbinding, to consumptive hobby that may branch out into a business like brewing, or it could be as simple as learning new recipes to cook from the harvests of one’s garden. Every single one of the aforementioned is exponentially better than playing video games to be perfectly honest.

7. Earning Money

If you are looking for REKTX, a mutual fund that invests in companies that operate in the electronics sector, or whatever that is, then an apology is in order. This blog was never intended to usurp the stock sticker symbol REKTX. It just so happens that “rekt” is a popular gaming term, and adding an “x” to the end of it was edgy in the 2000s.

Back at the topic, most of the hobbies mentioned in this article can be a source of income. Otherwise, it is a good idea to invest your money in conventional financial maneuverings be it stock market, bonds, or just keeping a savings account or time deposit. That money spent in gaming is better used in making more money or just saving them in cases of emergencies.

---

1. Soga, M., Gaston, K. J., & Yamaura, Y. (2017). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, 92-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007 ↩︎
2. McCrary, J. M., Altenmüller, E., Kretschmer, C., & Scholz, D. S. (2022). Association of music interventions with health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 5(3), e223236. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3236 ↩︎