We hear it all the time: hobbies are good for us. But “get a hobby” is easier said than done, especially when life is full and free time is scarce. A recent roundup of expert research broke it down in a way we love – not every hobby needs to do everything for you. Instead, look for balance across five kinds of hobbies, each one supporting a different part of your wellbeing.

We took that framework and asked ourselves a simple question: where does Gorton fit in? As it turns out, pretty much everywhere.

A hobby that keeps you active

Get something moving and the benefits follow. A Harvard Health review of a study published in Nature Medicine tracked more than 93,000 people across 16 countries and found that those with hobbies reported better health, more happiness, fewer symptoms of depression and higher life satisfaction than those without. Healthline adds that regular physical activity helps prevent high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity while improving brain function and sleep.

At Gorton, movement is easy to find on the calendar. Try Tai Chi or Tai Chi for Beginners for something gentle and grounding, or grab your dancing shoes for Line It Up Line Dancing. If you’d rather work up a sweat, Kickboxing is on the schedule too. And Yoga with Areta meets weekly for anyone looking to build strength and calm at the same time.

A hobby that lets you create

Creativity gives your brain somewhere to go that has nothing to do with work or responsibility – and the research backs that up. A 2023 American Psychiatric Association poll found that 46% of adults who did creative activities weekly said it helped relieve stress and anxiety, citing things like playing an instrument, crocheting and dancing with friends. WebMD points to a New Zealand study showing that creative activity leads to a lasting sense of well-being, and a separate study found that art-making sessions measurably lowered participants’ cortisol – the body’s stress hormone (webmd.com).

Gorton’s studios exist for exactly this. Take Your Painting to the Next Level and Drawing & Painting with Cheryl Steiger welcome visual artists at every level, Creative Writing gives writers a place to put words on the page, and Learn To Make Cannoli turns the kitchen into a creative outlet, too. There’s no grade, no client and no deadline. Just you and the work.

A hobby that helps you grow

Develop Good Habits notes that hobbies which challenge you to learn something new keep the mind active, sharpen memory and concentration and build genuine confidence with every small success. Growth-oriented hobbies expand what you know, how you think and what you’re capable of.

Our lifelong learning offerings are built for this kind of curiosity. Introduction to Reiki and Beginner Color Pencil with Phil Schorn both invite you to pick up a skill from scratch, and the Parenting Book Discussion Series is a great fit if reading and reflecting is more your speed. We love watching confidence build session by session.

A hobby that helps you slow down

Not every hour needs to be productive. Develop Good Habits describes how hobbies requiring focus and presence – yoga, knitting, woodworking – encourage mindfulness and help quiet racing thoughts. Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is slow down.

At Gorton, Coloring Club and Mindful Making: Adult Drop In Art Workshop are both built around exactly this kind of unhurried, no-pressure creative time. There’s something meditative about working with your hands – no rush, no agenda, just presence.

A hobby that brings you around people

Relationships don’t maintain themselves. WebMD points out that group hobbies – team sports, clubs, volunteering – help build communication skills and healthy relationships, and that a lack of social connection over time can carry health risks comparable to smoking. Harvard Health’s review found the same thing: hobby groups keep people socially connected, which helps reduce loneliness and isolation.

This is where Gorton shines brightest. Drop into Open Play Mahjong on a Friday morning, join the regulars at SING at Gorton, or make new friends over the table at Chess. Or invite a friend and attend an event or film in our theater! These are the kinds of experiences that turn strangers into neighbors and neighbors into friends.

Find your five

You don’t need to overhaul your calendar to build a well-rounded hobby life. Start with one. See what feels good. Then come back for another. Browse our full class calendar at gortoncenter.org and find the hobby – or five – that’s right for you. If you’ve recently picked up a hobby at Gorton, we’d love to hear about it! Please let us know.

You belong here.

Sources:

• Develop Good Habits, “33 Powerful Benefits of Having Hobbies in Your Life” – developgoodhabits.com/benefits-hobby
• Healthline, “5 Benefits of Hobbies” – healthline.com/health/5-benefits-of-hobbies
• Harvard Health Publishing, “Having a Hobby Tied to Happiness and Well-Being” – health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being
• WebMD, “Health Benefits of Hobbies” – webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-hobbies