Have you ever wondered why Scandinavian countries like Denmark are consistently reported as the happiest nations in the world? Emory University professor Marina Cooley was curious as well. She investigated this phenomenon while teaching a class on happiness in Denmark. What she found might surprise you. The difference maker? Hobbies.
Yes, hobbies. The pockets of time spent learning guitar, trying running, or baking bread are what give Danes the edge on happiness. While often unassuming, hobbies can be a powerful force for joy. Specifically, they offer an outlet for creativity and rejuvenation outside of work. Cooley wanted to see the impact of hobbies herself, so she completed a year-long experiment that consisted of trying out 17 different hobbies. The activities ranged from baking to rock climbing to embroidery, and after the year, she felt “stronger, braver, and more confident.”
One of the first benefits Cooley observed was that she stopped doomscrolling before bed. This change occurred when she realized that her bedtime doomscrolling took up precious free time—a rare commodity as a busy parent. It was a fantastic tradeoff. In the place of doomscrolling (known to harm mental health), Cooley developed new skills like sewing.
Another change Cooley made was redefining self-care. Previously, she thought of self-care as activities like manicures and facials. Yet over time, Cooley realized that adding these appointments to her calendar was actually just increasing her stress levels. She swapped the spa with new arenas like the pickleball court and felt more balanced and refreshed afterwards.
The experiment also helped Cooley feel less lonely as she became integrated into new circles. Communities like her tennis team, rock climbing gym, and horseback-riding barn offered a steady source of belonging.
These takeaways are just a few of the benefits that Cooley encountered along her hobbying journey. Ultimately, her biggest insight was that hobbies increase mental and physical balance and reduce burnout. So, what are you waiting for? Go do that hobby you’ve always wanted to try! Give a week, a month, or maybe even a lifetime. Either way, you won’t regret it.
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Plus, check out Professor Cooley’s full list of habits:
Baking, cold plunging, collage-making, embroidery, golf, home DIY, horseback riding, jewelry making, mahjong, ornament making, painting, pickleball, pottery, rock climbing, sewing, tennis, and woodworking.