In the of Spring 2020, with Covid pushing us into isolation, lots of us turned to either new or long-forgotten activities — I dabbled in everything from painting to puzzles to even tap-dancing. I’m hoping that some of these diversions turned into hobbies. It turns out that such pursuits are incredibly beneficial to your health. A study of an extensive array of leisure activities, published in the Lancet in 2021, identified more than 600 positive mental and physical health outcomes.

I checked in with some Rye residents to learn why they value their hobbies.

Stress Reduction and Accomplishment

Changing up your routine and immersing yourself in a pursuit can reduce stress and lighten your mood. After an evening spent doing a paint-by-numbers project, my adult daughters reported they were so absorbed that time flew by and they noticed that even their cups of tea tasted better than usual. Nicole Taylor’s daughters started sewing at our local Sew Happy sewing camp. Five years later, they are still going strong and she sees that it gives them confidence and joy. Nicole was inspired to take the craft up again and said, “There is something very therapeutic about the sound of the machine and the fact that you are able to make something from nothing with a few simple things.”

Being in Nature

Connecting with nature offers many benefits, my favorite being that it regulates your circadian rhythms for notably improved sleep. Molly Ness recently went fly-fishing with a group called Juliana’s Anglers, which kicked off the spring with a three-night trip to the Ten Mile River Preserve in Dover Plains, N.Y. “Fly-fishing is meditative – you have to surrender to the conditions you’re facing with water, wind, currents, and weather,” Ness said. “It’s mentally challenging and physically rewarding.”

Cooking and Baking

My husband, Graeme, enjoys breadmaking and the glow of the praise he receives from the lucky recipients of his loaves of bread. But most of all, he said, “There’s something about connecting with being back to basics that is comforting and satisfying.”

Relationships

Kim Mulcahy recently joined a watercolor class at the Rye Arts Center and finds the group of 10 gives her a creative outlet in relaxed company. Todd Ulrich loves to play lacrosse. “The game is incredibly un to play, combines many aspects of sports into one, and helps keep me in shape,” he said. “But the best part is post-game, having a couple of drinks and laughs with the guys.”

Creativity

A year ago, as the newest member of local band The M62s, Andy McSweeney learned the lyrics of more than 30 songs. He may be increasing his neuroplasticity — the ability of the brain to continue to grow and generate new cells into older age. But beyond that, being part of the band gives him new ways to laugh, smile, and let loose. Bandmate Holly Melville says, “Singing and music make me feel better about every single thing. It hits those dopamine receptors the same way as exercise does.” Inspired by Dancing with the Stars, Olesya Koshmanyuk, who had danced growing up in Ukraine, returned to dance by taking lessons in Stamford, even ending up competing. She said, “Dancing was my shrink – I went there to forget for a moment about everyday life.”