Relaxation and Grandma hobbies

I’ve never had an issue with relaxing, switching off from work, and just being peaceful with my own company. But plenty of people do. I’ve recently read about how people who do ‘Grandma hobbies’ as they phrased it, live longer because they’re more relaxed and have down time.

I don’t know what the research is behind this but there have been a lot of articles about it since National Hobby Day in January. I read it on an Instagram page which promotes healthier and reduced use of mobile phones, and increase proper relaxation.  But it makes a lot of sense.

We all know that too much screen time is bad for us. I’m not too bad on my phone in comparison to a lot of other people. But I do spend a lot of time on screens given I work on a laptop all day, and then also blog. Although I do blog less frequently than I used to; I often have several evenings off a week when I’m out dancing, or just because I can’t be bothered.

I also watch quite a bit of tv, well, a couple of hours an evening if I’m in, although not until the OH’s watched his rubbish, when I can then watch my choices. 

Hobbies are important, and should enable us to switch off from our screens. We should also feel relaxed and able to focus on the activities. Turn off from work. Have time off from other home or family responsibilities. 

What are Grandma hobbies

Grandma or old lady hobbies are quiet, usually home based hobbies, that are gentle and thoughtful, that you concentrate on away from other distractions. 

So we’re talking knitting, sewing, reading, drawing, doing jigsaws or other puzzles. Simple activities that pass the time. They also switch off your brain from other things, so helping you to relax properly.  These are on the rise as people want to go back to basics for various reasons.

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My choices and experience of old fashioned hobbies

I’m obviously old before my time because I’ve gone through many phases of these activities over the years.

I’ve done a lot of jigsaw puzzles over the years. I love a Sudoku puzzle, and also do some nonograms (admittedly the latter nowadays on the computer, rather than by hand in a newspaper).

Colouring got a bit boring in the end, although N and I used to do colouring together when he was younger. I had a year where I did a lot of crocheting.  

Find colouring books for adults

During Covid I went through a sewing period, and would love to get back to that. It’s just a faff getting my sewing machine out and set up, and I need to do some proper lessons really to properly know what I’m doing.

In the past I’ve done a lot of jewellery making and making cards which I sold as a sideline. I’ve spotted a couple of bracelet workshops recently and fancy picking that up again. But it does get expensive with all the beads and silver.

I read a lot, but on my Kindle because that’s easier for my eyes. Otherwise I have to find good light by my chair and my glasses. But I love that I can get lost in a book. I’m not sure that mystery thrillers would ever be relaxing, but if it’s the escapism from real life we’re after, then it would still fit.

I get told by family it’s lazy having so many sitting down activities. With mental and physical benefits, these activities help the brain switch off and have time to repair and rebuild after stresses and high ongoing screen activity. So I will be reading just as much as I’ve always done.

What Grandma activities do you enjoy? Are there any you think you’ll take up?