What better way to kick off the New Year than by doing something pleasurable? Use National Hobby Month as an excuse to enjoy some leisure time and rediscover hobbies. Engagement in leisure activities is an important component of wellness that is often overlooked due to the busy nature of today’s lifestyles. Leisure expert, Dr. E. Christine Moll, compares leisure to medicine, stating that, it airs out the brain, renews the spirit, provides clarity of thought, positively impacts blood pressure, and offers life satisfaction. For that reason, involvement with hobbies should not be a luxury, but a necessity.
As an added benefit, taking the time to nurture personal needs through hobby participation can also translate into healthier relationships. Moll explains this in very simple terms: “We can't give what we don't have. We can't give to our family, friends, students or clients if we don't first take some time for ourselves."
It is not surprising that it takes some level of commitment to reap all of the benefits of hobby participation. The best thing about a hobby, though, is that it is enjoyable, and if something is enjoyable, it will be much easier to stick to.
The greater Cleveland area has a wealth of resources and activities to help people of all ages get reacquainted with favorite pastimes, or discover a new hobby altogether. The list below offers a sampling of activities to help Cleveland area hobby enthusiasts revive their minds and bodies, today.
Cleveland Metroparks
Fishing, hiking, biking, nature exploration, horseback riding, skiing, boating, culture & history exploration, and much more
www.clevelandmetroparks.com
Cleveland Public Library
Books, movies, music, events, classes, and more
www.cpl.org
Cleveland Rock Gym
Indoor rock climbing
www.clevelandrockgym.com
American Wine School
Classes for casual wine enthusiasts and serious students; wine tastings
www.americanwineschool.com/cleveland.htm
Cuyahoga Community College
Wide variety of personal enrichment opportunities for adults and children
www.tri-c.edu/enrichment/Pages/default.aspx
Playhouse Square
Arts learning events, classes, workshops, and more, for all ages, offered by the Community Engagement & Education Department
www.playhousesquare.org/default.asp?playhousesquare=13&urlkeyword=Educat...
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Programs, classes, and workshops that inspire curiosity, spur creativity, and enhance teaching and learning
www.clevelandart.org/learn
Reference:
ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Leisure is a Necessity for Health, Canisius College (NY) Professor Emphasizes, February 10, 2011
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