A hobby is an activity that people pursue outside of work or school that engages their interest and attention. Hobbies may be casual where they are infrequent and short-lived or serious where they are pursued consistently over a long period of time. They can be creative and artistic in nature or more active in form such as participation in a sport. Hobbies are often seen as a positive part of a healthy lifestyle.
For example, if someone takes up painting as a hobby, this can improve their fine motor skills and can be a way to express emotions in a productive manner. Similarly, singing can be a great way to relieve stress and connect with other people. Other creative hobbies include drawing and calligraphy. One of the most popular brain-engaging hobbies is sudoku, a numbers logic puzzle that helps develop and maintain brain function. Learning a new language is also a fun and useful way to stimulate the mind, as well as helping to understand other cultures in a global world.
Hobbies can be sedentary in nature such as reading, sewing and knitting or they can involve physical activity such as sports or dance. Some hobbyists develop a skill that results in an end product such as woodworking, cooking or baking. Some creative hobbies also include 3D printing and costume making. Software projects such as Photoshopping and home music or video production are another example of a hobby that can result in an end product.