Hobbies for Well-being

Hobbies aren’t just a way to pass the time—they’re vital for our well-being. Doing what we love naturally boosts feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, lifting our mood and lowering levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

When we engage in hobbies that involve creativity—like painting, music, writing, dancing or crafting—something else happens in the brain, multiple areas are stimulated, improving cognitive function and contributing to long-term brain health. In fact, there’s growing research showing how creative practices can ease symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s and this is why social prescribing (recommending activities like art, music, and crafts) is becoming a valuable tool in mental health and holistic care.

But there’s more! By activating and engaging our creativity, we begin to build a safe outlet for self-expression, where we can explore deeper thoughts and emotions without needing to put them into words. One simple but powerful way to do this is through a creative journal—think of it as journaling, but more visual than verbal. Blending imagery, colour, and occasional writing to help us reflect, release and connect with our inner world. The beauty of it? There’s no pressure to create something perfect, no right or wrong, and no need to be an artist or a skilled writer. This is simply about making space.

Creative hobbies don’t just make us happy…They help keep us grounded, healthy, and whole. So next time you pick up a paintbrush, a guitar, or a knitting needle, remember: you’re not just having fun. You’re calming your mind, nourishing your spirit, and caring for your whole self.

If you're curious to explore more practices like this and want support in building a more mindful life, have a look at my upcoming well-being workshops and inspiration.

3 is the Magic Number!

A simple way to shift your mindset
In the middle of our busy and sometimes chaotic life, it’s easy to overlook what’s going well and what truly matters. But what if just a few moments of daily reflection could shift the way you think, feel, and experience life?

Expressing gratitude is a powerful way to reframe the way we think and feel. When we focus on what we’re grateful for, we begin to shift our attention away from limiting thoughts and instead notice the more positive, meaningful aspects of our lives. This change in focus can help rewire our brain, encouraging a more optimistic and empowered mindset.

The science behind it
Our brains are naturally wired to look for threats (it’s how we’ve survived for thousands of years). But by intentionally practicing gratitude, we create new ‘wires’ (neural pathways) that activate specific brain regions associated with reward, social bonding, and stress relief. By repeatedly expressing gratitude we can strengthen these new ‘wires’ training our brain to naturally adopt a more positive outlook.

At the same time, gratitude triggers the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to feelings of happiness, pleasure, and stress relief. So the more we practice gratitude, not only the easier we notice and appreciate the good in life but also the happier we feel. But this doesn’t mean ignoring problems or pretending everything’s perfect. Instead, it helps us cultivate a more positive mindset, one that can easily recognise the good, both big and small, even in the midst of chaos.

How do we start?
One easy way to turn this into a daily habit is by writing down 3 things you’re grateful for each morning before your day begins. They don’t need to be big or profound—small joys and quiet moments count too. Maybe it’s your morning coffee, a kind message from a friend, or simply the feeling of sunlight on your skin.

Try it for 33 days. Why 33 days? Research shows it takes around 21 to 66 days to build a new habit, and 33 is right in the middle — plus, it matches our ‘3’ theme! By the end of that time, your brain will be doing it automatically — and you might not even need to write it down anymore.

If you’d like to learn more about mindfulness and how to integrate it into your daily routine with confidence and ease, have a look at my upcoming well-being workshops or email me for more info.