Equestrianism, commonly known as horse riding (BrE) or horseback riding (AmE) involves riding and training of horses for practical purposes, but also for competitive sports like riding, horse racing, or rodeo. It is a very popular pastime activity. Horses are not only used for transportation and recreation, but also for therapeutic purposes. Many studies have shown that contact with horses can improve human health and heal emotional trauma.

Did you know that Captain Cook was the first person to describe surfing back in 1778? But surfing is a hobby which has a much longer history, actually it is one of the oldest hobbies on Earth, as some 5,000‑year‑old stone carvings in Peru suggest. Surfing is not the easiest sport to learn. It takes time, commitment, patience, and perseverance in order to progress. However, it offers many benefits, both physical and mental. For example it makes your body flexible, improves its mobility, and it is a great stress relief.

This is another water sport which you can do in your free time. It requires some upper‑body strength, as you have to paddle while kneeling or sitting in a canoe, but you can adjust the level of intensity to your needs: you may just paddle along a calm canal or take on a white water rafting to get an adrenaline rush. Thanks to this hobby you will be able to explore different places in your country: rivers, lakes, and canals, and meet a lot of new and lovely people on the way. Being outside and close to nature will lower your stress levels, help you sleep better, and make you a happier person overall. Have you ever seen a grumpy person paddling? 

You probably have heard the expression “busy as a bee,” but have you ever considered getting an up‑close look at how busy bees actually are? Beekeeping is becoming a more and more popular hobby that has lots of advantages. It not only brings the obvious benefits of having your own honey or wax, but you will also contribute to saving their population, which has dramatically decreased over the last decades. And contrary to popular belief that bees will sting you if you come closer to them, working with bees is a very relaxing activity. They are amazing creatures, so raising them should bring you a lot of joy.

Trainspotting is not only a famous film. In fact, it has nothing to do with it. It’s a hobby which is based on an interest in trains and railways. Trainspotters watch trains and track the number on each engine, then they share information on the whereabouts of the trains, as well as technical data, and specific characters. To start this hobby you only need yourself, a pen, and a notebook. This is what makes this hobby interesting: it is old school and provides the perfect excuse to be outdoors more and enjoy the dramatic scenery that only the railway networks can provide. Of course, if you want to, you can also use some electronic gadgets and record the data with their help.

Extreme ironing, also called EI, is a competitive sport in which people try to iron a few items of laundry in difficult, usually extreme, situations like while rock climbing, surfing, or on a kayak. It combines the excitement of an extreme sport with the satisfaction of a well‑pressed shirt, because the idea is to combine a thrilling activity with a dull and boring one. As crazy as it may seem, there has been a worldwide recruitment campaign and there is an extreme ironing research centre in Germany exploring the physics of the sport. There are also regular successful World Championships in this sport!

It is a really cool hobby in which you train living trees and other woody plants into artistic shapes or useful structures by carefully orchestrating how the tree and its branches grow. You can create living sculptures or functional structures. Imagine growing your own chair! Unfortunately, it might take a while before you will be able to sit in it… It does require you to spend lots of time outside though, caring for trunks, branches, and roots, so it is a very healthy hobby too.

This is a super creative and fun hobby that anyone can do. The only material that you need is sand, water, and some tools to help you build a sand sculpture or something to draw with if you want to draw with the sand, because sand art does not only involve building sand castles on the beach. It is a hobby that can be enjoyed by all ages. The inexpensive materials make it accessible for those with limited funds, and the relaxing atmosphere of creating something from nothing gives you a sense of joy. Try it if you live near a place with sandy areas.

Do you remember how you jumped, ran, and climbed trees and other obstacles when you were a child? This is exactly what parkour is about: people who practise it try to overcome any urban obstacle they find in their path in the most fluid, fast, and technical way they possibly can. Some people say it is an extreme sport, while others argue it is an activity comparable to martial arts, or both of them at the same time. Obviously, with so many movements, in this hobby the whole body is worked muscularly, but the activity doesn’t only improve muscles, but also helps to shed some kilos. And the good news about parkour is that it does not have a manual or methodology to practise. You just need to know the right techniques and moves before you start practising, and you can do it in any park or environment that is around you. This hobby can be really fun and entertaining provided it is done with sufficient training and safety.

Needless to say, everybody should have a hobby. The one that provides us with personal satisfaction and brings richness to our lives. At times, our hobby makes a pleasant escape from reality and everyday struggles. Some people even make extra money on the side and a great opportunity to make new friends. If you don’t have a hobby, don’t wait! Think about what you really like and give it a try!