Hobbies That Will Keep You Productive

With the current COVID-19 situation, you may want a new activity to occupy yourself. Try these hobbies that will also keep you productive as you get into them.

Since people across the country are mostly confined to their homes at the moment, it’s natural that you may want to find a new pastime. Some hobbies are simply good for a relaxing distraction, while others can more directly affect other aspects of your life. If you want to make things that are tangible or reap a clear mental benefit from your activities, you can pick up one of these hobbies that will keep you productive.

Meditation

Meditation doesn’t seem like much, since you mostly remain still and silent while doing it, but it is a hobby that will definitely keep you productive. By taking a moment out of your day to clear your mind, you can improve your ability to concentrate on your other tasks. For this reason, many people opt to meditate first thing in the morning. There are different styles of meditation that you can try out to find the best fit for yourself. Some call you to focus on your breathing in silence, while others guide you through small steps and play soothing sounds and music in the background.

Knitting

If you enjoy the soft textures of fabrics around your home or have an interest in fashion, knitting can be a fruitful hobby for you. As you learn the techniques that go into forming finished items, you can create decorations for your house and articles of clothing that you can actually use and wear. The act of knitting itself can act as a source of relaxation for you since it involves repeated movements. Furthermore, you can knit gifts for your family and friends that are personalized to their tastes. These presents will communicate your care for them in a way that store-bought items cannot.

Making Mechatronics

As you may guess, making mechatronics includes the creation of mechanical and electrical devices. The possibilities for what you can build are nearly limitless and many of the homemade devices you’ll end up with through your efforts will have utility outside the satisfaction of completing them. An easy place to start with this hobby is with Raspberry Pi mechatronics projects. Raspberry Pi is a stripped-back computer that appears as a small motherboard with several connection ports. You can program it to serve as the brains behind a home surveillance system and a weather machine that tells you the temperature, pressure, and humidity outside. It may also serve as the basis for a cheap PC that you can use in place of an expensive model.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is like stepping into another world where the rhythm of hoofbeats and the bond between horse and rider create a sense of harmony and freedom. But in what way can this (expensive) hobby even be productive? Well, beyond the thrill of adventure, it can be seen as a form of therapy that builds strength, balance, and confidence. There’s just a lot of coordination that goes into it, and it’s not like driving a car or riding a bike. 

You can have one of the best saddle brands like Western Saddles and even the best gear for your hose, but it doesn’t mean anything if there is no bond with that worse and if you’re lacking control for yourself. You’re testing out a different part of you when you’re going horseback riding; it’s like two brains needing to work together (you and the horse) in order to achieve what needs to be achieved.

Feature photo: Retha Ferguson