21 Productive Hobbies To Restore Overall Employee Health And Well-being

How you utilize your precious time is crucial, starting when you wake up. Work, family, and social obligations can be overwhelming, leaving you with little room to do the things you love. Then, how to balance everything and make the best use of time?

One of the ways to make use of that valuable time is by indulging in productive hobbies. Hobbies flex your creative muscles and help you spend your time efficiently. They allow constant stimulation of your brain and body. Obliging you to remain active and mindful throughout the day.

Everyone must nurture their skills to stand out and compete in today's challenging work environment. Hobbies are not just recreational activities but soft skills too. And contemplating your skills and behavior can help you beat the odds in your personal and professional life.

Happy is the man who can make a living by his hobby.
– G.B Shaw

The Importance Of Cultivating Productive Hobbies

Partaking in constructive hobbies brings out the in you. Harvard business researchers found that indulging in innovative activities can positively impact your willpower, emotional agility, peace, and performance‐related outcomes at work. They wrote that "Creative activity while away from work may be a leisure activity that provides employees essential resources to perform at a high level."

Moreover, cultivating hobbies improves your self-reflection too. It can separate outstanding professionals from mediocre ones, making them extraordinary at work. Productive hobbies improve your life considerably, helping you rediscover yourself and find success.

To know yourself better, explore your hidden talents and passion. Research also shows that taking part in leisure activities can profoundly impact our overall happiness index. Thus, transforming your passive amusements into productive ones will help you thrive, learn, and grow tremendously.

Why Must Organizations Encourage Employees To Take Up Productive Hobbies?

Organizations need fresh and innovative ideas every day. But often, employees' minds are filled with targets, metrics, and deadlines set at the workplace. When your mind is inactive, coming up with a fully original idea can be difficult.

One of the best ways to rejoice in life and stay rejuvenated is by luxuriating in hobbies. Productive hobbies help keep creativity alive in you. It also keeps absenteeism, unproductivity, and burnout, at bay.

Today, many workplaces have designed spaces for recreational activities, thereby encouraging employees to take creative breaks. They are good for employees to remain dedicated and be better at their jobs. For example, rooms with modular spaces, a casual sitting arena, a sports corner or a library, etc. These are the primal needs of the 21st-century workforce.

So, make your workplace look healthy and creative. Innovate and devise new plans to promote a pro-spiritually, mentally, and physically inspired workspace.

Read: 71 Spiritual Wellness Quotes To Rekindle Your Employees Absolute Well-being

Benefits of Productive Hobbies for Individuals and Organizations

Life becomes boring and dull with a monotonous schedule for employees working 9-5. But, advancing your hobbies can turn the course of that monotony into an enjoyable and meaningful one. But before that, you must have the know-how. So here are a few benefits of taking up productive hobbies to balance personal and professional life.

Individual-level;

1. Drives your creative stimulus
2. Reduces stress and anxiety
3. It helps you sleep better
4. Offers new challenges and opportunities
5. It helps you earn additional income
6. Allows you to explore and bring out the best in you
7. Develops your positive thinking and emotions
8. Enlightens your spiritual well-being

Organizational level;

1. Improves employee productivity at work
2. Enhances career growth
3. Builds confidence and self-esteem
4. It helps you enrich your perspectives
5. Improves social wellness
6. Enables you to strengthen your relationships at the workplace
7. Promotes mindfulness
8. Keeps your mental, behavioral, and physical health conditions intact
9. It makes you more promising at work

21 Productive Hobbies For Employee To Rejuvenate Their Overall Well-being

1. Exercising

Can exercising be considered a hobby? Yes, why not. Participating in routine exercise can be a constructive use of your time. It will help you enhance your physical fitness and mental and emotional health.

Wellness hobbies can be a kick-start towards achieving your yearly health goals. Alter your traditional exercising into a recreational and more productive one. At the same time, let yourself acquire your health goals and set new wellness trends.

So, make your journey to an active lifestyle more intriguing and pleasant with Vantage fit. Vantage Fit is the comprehensive corporate wellness platform you might have looked for. The platform allows employees to track their fitness goals and motivates them to adopt healthy lifestyle choices. Besides, it provides incentives for every task you complete.

2. Reading

Of all things, I liked books best.
– Nikola Tesla

Reading might seem to be a typical habit, but it is one of the most productive ones. A simple hack to happiness and success is to reward yourself with some time to relax and read.

There are two types of mindset; fixed mindset and growth mindset, and leaders pursue the growth mindset. And, reading significantly helps adapt to the growth mindset. Let me tell you, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Tony Robbins, Warren Buffet, and many other successful leaders said they love to read.

Motivating the mind to read opens the door to new successful opportunities. You'll be surprised to learn how reading as a productive hobby will help you flourish through the uncertainties of life.

So, why not savor some leisure time reading some books or magazines? Reading can broaden your horizon and leave you inspired in many ways.

3. Cooking and baking

Cooking and baking can be therapeutic. Not only does it help to pass the time—it serves as comfort too. You can feel amazing while cooking and feeding people, and it is heart filling.

Psychologists agree that cooking and baking leave behind a positive impact on your health and well-being. Someone who loves juggling in the kitchen can turn it into a productive hobby. Besides, it's one great way to start new friendship stories and earn extra money.

People who cook more often maintain healthier diets as well. You can even start your very own cooking channel where you can share your healthy food recipes. Or, maybe you can host parties and potlucks at the office. I am pretty sure everyone else will enjoy it too.

So, unleash the cooking/baking master inside you. And live a healthy lifestyle.

Related: 10 Awesome Lifestyle Choices For Employees To Elevate Their Work-Life

4. Photography

Photography as a passion can be inspiring. In a way, photography is more than just capturing an object. It is more about your vision and outlook toward the world.

If you are passionate about photography, why not go out with your camera on weekends and capture wonderful moments? Upload and share your picture or start a new Instagram account to display your photography skills.

In the meantime, you can also take up photography courses to learn and understand more about it.

There is a story behind every shot while you add life to that image. Photography enhances your creativity skills. It can drive your curiosity, imagination and passion for life. It is also good for your mental well-being. So, rejuvenate your soul by indulging in a productive hobby like photography.

Related: 81 Self-Motivation Quotes To Balance A Perfect Professional And Personal Life

5. Music and instruments

Once again, she was free. Once again, she found peace. It was music that freed her soul from the dungeon of her mind.
– Wiss Auguste, The Illusions of Hope

Music is more than an expression. Music is a healing therapy. It has been connecting souls for ages and helping happy hearts dance to its beats. Good music is an elixir for sadness and stress. Good music helps develop positive emotions. It also allows you remain focused and productive at work.

Many choose to seek music as a career option or form musical bands to keep their passion alive. So, do not let your tunes die. Always say yes to your hobbies. Make time for your finger to feel the strings, roll the sticks of your drum, and groove to it.

6. Traveling

If you are an adventurous person, then you must keep traveling. It will help you explore the corners of the world and connect with new people. Traveling can be good for both spiritual and mental health.

So this time, instead of spending your pastime lying on the couch and watching Instagram reels, pack your bags and hit the road. Look for cheap holiday destinations to travel solo or with friends. And experience the real moments amidst the clouds, sea, or forest trails.

Traveling can be soul-enriching. After your trip, feel the difference within you. Especially at work, you will notice productivity and positivity flowing at your desk.

Related: Social Media Detox: All You Need To Know

7. Side hustling

A side hustle is the best way to earn some extra penny outside a 9-5 job. So, do not let your creative ideas go to waste. Invest your time in your vision and make it worthwhile. For a side hustle, you can start freelancing or working a part-time job. For example, you can be a full-time engineer who takes on part-time social media gigs or even explore ways to generate a digital business card to showcase your skills and attract new clients.

When the mind is active, it will keep away all negative thoughts. Not only will you grow at the individual level but also at the professional level.

Well, investing your time and money in something you love to do is never too early. Every side hustle has a story to cherish. So, go on and rediscover your inner spirit through your hobby.

8. Learning new languages

Learning a foreign language can be an excellent hobby. Here is why;
It strengthens brain functions like memory, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and observation skills.

Learning a new language seems intimidating, but it is amusing. There is a wide range of languages to learn- from French, Spanish, Norwegian, and Swedish to Dutch, Italian, and Portuguese. It helps you in the future if you hope to travel to any foreign country. Language classes give you freedom and flexibility that typical classes would not offer.

Learning a new language will help you bond with new people. It will help you enjoy movies and music from different languages.

So, you can always decide to learn a new language and later start your classes.

9. Blogging

For those who love to write, blogging is a perfect hobby. Moreover, it provides the freedom to create and share content of your own will. Also, having such a skill can complement your resume in many ways.

You can always publish your blogs on the Internet using a CMS, and get your own website hosting. Once you feel ready to promote your website, it might bring you some money as well.

Blogging will help you self-explore, learn and bring out new writing skills. This will likely be an experience, but it can be so much fun. So, don't hold back your abilities and let them flow.

10. Sports

Sports is one of the most exciting pastimes. Watching, playing, and talking about sports can rejuvenate your mind and body. Hobbies do not necessarily have to be creative. They can be fitness-oriented too, for example, roller skating, skiing, yoga, pilates, dancing, aerobics, and swimming.

If you are concerned about your physical health, investing time in sports can be beneficial. Watching movies and playing video games can be a good pastime, but hobbies can make your everyday lives brighter and better. In most cases, they expand your skills and broaden your horizons.

So, if you love playing football, find friends or invite your office besties who are equally enthusiastic and sporty. Organize weekly indoor and outdoor sports events with them.

11. Gardening

Connecting with nature can be relaxing, fun, and good for your health. Raychel Santo (MA, senior research program coordinator for the Center for a Livable Future at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) says you may not think of gardening as exercise. Still, all the lifting, shoveling, and raking is to be counted as physical exercise.

Here are a few things that you need to know about gardening;

• Teaches more responsibility
• Help adopt healthy food habits
• Also, it promotes organic farming
• Enhances physical and mental stimulation
• Revitalizes your connection with nature and surrounding
• Gardens provide a space to relax and meditate
• It helps earn some extra cash by selling
• Promotes sustainable living and greenery

So, why not try your hands-on gardening? You can also start eating organic foods and encourage everyone to follow suit.

Related: 21 Easy And Delicious Office Party Snacks and Drinks Ideas

12. Meditation

Can meditation be a hobby? Indeed, yes.

Meditation is a spiritual practice that can be converted into a hobby. Practicing meditation can make you happier and healthier and promote better lifestyle choices.

Meditation as a hobby is an active pursuit like other hobbies. If some prefer music or sports to relax and release stress, introspection is also a source of calmness for many. And meditation helps in doing that. Especially at work, meditation can;

• Improve focus
• Enhance performance
• Promote intellectual wellness
• Reduce depression
• Promote holistic health

Read: Holistic Employee Wellness: A Modern Blueprint for Thriving Workplaces

13. Learning new skills/courses

Taking up learning as a hobby will never go to waste. Today, various online platforms provide unique learning opportunities, courses, and certificate programs.

Learning new skills can be stimulating. More importantly, having additional skills supplements your resume and growth at the office. Here are 10 unique skills that you can take up;

• Speed reading
• Basic home repair
• Basic Photoshop
• Ukulele classes
• Basic self-defense classes
• Digital Marketing
• Social media marketing
• Bartending
• Mental skills
• Stock investing skills

You can check out these platforms for new learning courses;

• Masterclass
• Skillshare
• Udemy
• Coursera

14. Knitting and crocheting

It's great to have any hobby and be passionate about it. Knitting and crocheting can be a great because it is;

• Inexpensive and eco-friendly
• Good for the brain and lifts the mood
• It helps you stay connected with your roots and community
• It can be a sustainable and good option for gifting
• It is appropriate for all ages
• Also, enhance your creative design and hand skills.

15. Hiking

Hiking as a hobby comes with many benefits. It can help improve social and physical health. Along with that, it also boosts your cognitive and intellectual health. You can either go hiking solo or make it fun with your team members from work.

According to Neuroscientist and author, Daniel Levitin, hiking exercises the part of your brain designed to help you navigate through life.

Let's discuss the benefits of hiking;

• Hiking makes you happier
• It enhances your perspective
• It helps elevate all your senses
• Hiking makes you an adventurer
• It increases your love for nature
• It improves your physical health and fitness
• Hiking enhances your self-confidence
• It encourages you to meet new people

16. Brewing

Coffee is the most cherished beverage of all time. While working, a good cup of coffee livens the mood. And those who are experts in brewing are in great demand at the office.

Coffee brewing doesn't require much time. If brewing interests you, you should take it as a hobby. The history of coffee is amazing, and exploring and tasting the wide range of coffee products will help you discover new flavors.

You can purchase a variety of coffee beans and tools from online stores. And, get started with brewing as your latest hobby.

17. Dancing

Dance has always been a part of our culture, traditions, and celebrations. Although today it is more about amusement and expression, it is still a beloved hobby for many.

Dancing allows you to be physically active and stay fit. It can help you release stress and tension. When you can pursue your hobby productively, your mental, behavioral and spiritual well-being remains unharmed. It uplifts the mood along with other benefits such as;

• Improves heart and lungs conditions
• Increases muscular strength, endurance, and motor fitness
• Increases aerobic fitness
• Helps in weight management
• Improves agility and flexibility
• Improves balance and spatial awareness
• Enhances physical confidence
• Improves mental functioning
• Enhances your social skills.

Read: Breathwork: Enhance Your Employee Wellness Goals This 2022

18. Volunteering

How great a hobby is if it contributes to making an individual's life better!

Hobbies should have a positive impact on our lives and others. And to have that impact, what can be better than volunteering for a cause?

If you work 9-5, it becomes impossible to pursue volunteering as a full-time career. But, whenever you get a chance to do charity, you should.

Volunteering or fundraising for a cause can be wonderful. You can also conduct events along with your co-workers. Well, if your organization is willing to promote the program, it will leave behind a great message to the world. It will help you build better connections and enhance corporate wellness programs.

19. Painting

An American psychologist has said, 'Worry is a spasm of the emotion; the mind catches hold of something and will not let it go.' Practicing or cultivating a hobby can make you stress-free and relaxed.

A study found that spending 45 minutes making art helps boost someone's confidence and ability to complete tasks. Painting is great fun. Playing with colors and pencils can squeeze out all your worries. Filling the white canvas will be joyous if you let out all your imagination. Art is fascinating and absorbing, and it can fuel your positivity.

Sometimes, you let your hobbies slip through the cracks of workload and the daily hustle. But don't let the passion wither away from you. Make the most out of it and keep yourself engaged whenever possible.

Read: 76 Calming Quotes For Wellness And Well-being At Work

20. Mindfulness

If you are a spiritual person, then mindfulness can be great recreation. Engaging in mindfulness exercises will help you rediscover your inner spirit.

When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.
– Jack Kornfield

Nothing can be more intense than developing your connection with your soul. Mindfulness meditation helps you get rid of distractions and remain focused on work. Being mindful at work will help you grow professionally within a short period. It will also enrich your senses by helping you find calm amid chaos.

Related: 13 Methods To Increase Energy and Motivation At Work

21. Pet Walking

An ancient Chinese philosopher once said, 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,' for all individuals who battle daily with the boredom of 9-5 jobs.

A recent study found that professional dog walkers earn an average of £26,500 per year. Moreover, Pet walking has numerous health and social benefits. Regular exercise with your pet is fun and good for you and your dog's wellness.

Research by the University of Western Australia has found that owning a pet can also benefit the community. If you think it's your time to take the leap of faith and make pet walking a productive hobby, give it a try!

Bottom Line

The best way to promote corporate wellness is to cherish employees and their hobbies. Some CEOs spend time on their productive hobbies, setting the right examples for their employees to do the same.

So, let your workplace be filled with creative pieces of stuff like artwork and designs on its walls. Decorate your walls, desks, and corners to make them look inspiring.

If you are to observe a workplace closely, look over the corners, walls, and desks. See how it has been recreated and what message it conveys.

Because in the end, a creative workspace is what you need to make your employees creative and happy. Therefore, encourage your productive hobbies along with your employees in every way you can.