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7 creative hobbies to help improve your mental wellbeing
Pick up a new skill with these inspiring experience days
Studies have shown that having a hobby can help improve your mental health. In fact, taking part in the activities leads to an "upward cycle" of increased wellbeing, according to psychologists at New Zealand’s University of Otago.
Besides relieving stress and anxiety, there are many other benefits to incorporating creative pastimes into our lifestyles. Creative hobbies are a great way to learn a new skill, get out of your comfort zone, or spend quality time with the ones you love.
They can also help you keep a calmer mind and allow you to practice the art of mindfulness.
Whatever your reason for bringing a new hobby into your life, we thought we'd help you on your way by rounding up the best creative hobbies to improve your mental wellbeing this year.
From astrophotography to dancing, our pick of activities will take you everywhere for a more relaxed 2020, including Dark Sky sites, workshops nestled in the countryside and even the kitchen!
Country Living readers can also take advantage of 10% off hobbies and creative days out thanks to our friends at Virgin Experience Days. Just visit virginexperiencedays.co.uk/cl to reveal your unique code and spend it on the experience of your choice or from our selection below.
Capture the stars on camera
If photography has always been a hobby you'd like to have, you can get even more creative with your camera by heading outside after dark and trying an astrophotography course.
With the help of a tutor, you'll learn how to take incredible astronomical photos, blending technology and art to capture the wonders of the sky, all while in the breathtaking surroundings of a Dark Sky site.
Location: 10 sites in the UK
Special CL price: £135 (usually £150)
BOOK NOW Get code and search 'tutored astrophotography'
Get active with dancing
Whether you've been inspired by Strictly Come Dancing or would like to try dancing as a fun way to stay active, you can learn some impressive moves in a private lesson before taking to the dance floor.
In a class for two people, you'll get to choose between 13 different dance styles including Ballroom, Jive, Latin, Paso Doblé, Rumba, Samba, Salsa and Viennese waltz.
Location: London
Special CL price: £98.10 (usually £109)
BOOK NOW Get code and search 'karen hardy'
Try your hand at glass blowing
The ancient art of glass blowing is a fantastic way to relieve stress and have a therapeutic new skill to your belt. An introduction to the craft in the marvellous Bedfordshire countryside is the perfect way to start this hobby.
You'll learn the basics of working hot glass and get to know the tools used, before putting your newfound knowledge to the test and producing up to four glass objects.
Location: Bedfordshire
Special CL price: £144 (usually £160)
BOOK NOW Get code and search 'glass blowing'
Create your own silver charms
Show off your creative side by producing your own charms in an enjoyable silver jewellery making class. Just grab a friend to start this new hobby together and you'll spend an evening getting to know the basics while creating your first piece of jewellery.
You’ll learn wax carving techniques to make a charm, which will be cast into sterling silver and hand-stamped with your personalisation.
Location: 2 sites in the UK
Special CL price: £126 (usually £140)
BOOK NOW Get code and search 'silver jewellery'
Master the art of cooking seafood
Love cooking? Take your passion to the next level by perfecting your skills with cooking fish and shellfish at home. On a seafood cooking course, you'll learn how to make fish stews and lobster bisques, braise calamari in red wine, and bake the catch of the day.
You'll also make mussels Provençale and scallop with oriental dressing, as well as recipes with mackerel.
Location: London
Special CL price: £189 (usually £210)
BOOK NOW Get code and search 'shellfish school'
Relax with calligraphy
If you're working on being more mindful, calligraphy is a wonderful way to reconnect with yourself. At a beginner's workshop, you'll learn a range of fundamental skills to practice the art at home.
From how to use a dip pen or brush and ink to write beautiful calligraphy and shapes, to the basic strokes, this is the ideal hobby for creatives.
Location: London
Special CL price: £45 (usually £50)
BOOK NOW Get code and search 'calligraphy'
Make your own soap
An eco-friendly product that smells gorgeous and makes for a wonderful gift to friends and family, soap can be a joy to produce too.
On a soap-making workshop in Oxfordshire, you'll use essential oils like lavender and choose the colours and fragrances to create bespoke bath-time treats, including a body scrub, shampoo and soap.
Location: Oxfordshire
Special CL price: £48.60 (usually £54)
BOOK NOW Get code and search 'oxford soap'
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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