"Other than collecting Barbies, my first notable hobby was piano—one that my parents coaxed me into and a stereotypical rite of passage for seemingly every Asian kid. It felt like something I should be doing, much like a chore. When I proved to be average at best, the inherent shame took any fun out of it. Fast forward to adulthood: I’ve casually taken up relearning Spanish and Chinese for no other reason than pure enjoyment and using it to quiet my internal dialogue. There’s no pressure of being graded; my semi-commitment to becoming trilingual means my American accent sticks out like a sore thumb, I often resort to Spanglish or Chinglish, and Google Translate is my sidekick. But the no-stress and leisureness of my chosen hobby is the full appeal.
Pressure-free hobbies are not only a way to enjoy free time but also an important practice for your well-being. According to therapist April Crowe, LCSW, hobbies are a form of self-care. “Doing something you genuinely enjoy helps you relax, gives you a break from daily stress, and can even improve your mental and physical health,” she shared. Hobbies can also encourage movement, improve cognitive function, and even promote social connection—all of which contribute to long-term well-being. Cool girl hobbies from scrapbooking to making charm bracelets are taking social media by storm (think: what your trendy bestie or Gen Z sister does in her free time). Wellness girlies have adapted hobbies of their own that not only provide all the fun and benefits of other hobbies but can also upgrade your quality of life. Read on for a list of cool girl hobbies that will dramatically improve your health and the quality of your life.
1. Ballet
Pilates girls may be swapping the cool-girl workout for ballet: a form of movement that’s as aesthetic and feminine as it is a good workout. “It’s a fun way to get exercise, improve cardiovascular health, and boost coordination and balance,” Crowe said. “The best part? It releases endorphins, your brain’s natural feel-good chemicals, which help lift your mood and reduce stress.” In addition to being arguably more fun than your typical gym sesh, channeling your inner Misty Copeland has a wide range of powerful mind and body benefits (peep: the NFL football player who claims ballet is “harder than anything else I do”). In addition to cardiovascular and light strength training, ballet also works on skeletal strength, muscular flexibility, and pelvic floor strength for benefits such as improved posture, core strength, risk of injury, and sexual health. Dancing also uses bilateral stimulation, meaning it can help with emotional and physiological stress and lower stress-related cortisol levels. TL;DR: Ballet may look pretty, but this hobby offers you powerful mental and physical benefits while you’re having fun.
How to try it: Can’t get to a ballet studio, or it’s not in the budget? Check out free online videos and streaming classes.
2. Gardening
Whether you consider it tapping into cottagecore or an environmentally-friendly statement, Crowe said working with plants can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety. Then there’s the sunlight exposure and fresh air when you garden outside that increases serotonin (AKA the “happy hormone”) and boosts cortisol for better energy. What’s more, Ruth Hernandez, a licensed clinical psychologist at AddictionResource.net, shared that there are friendly bacteria commonly found in soil that activate brain cells to produce serotonin. A 2020 study published in Landscape and Urban Planning found that gardening supports high emotional well-being, including feelings of happiness and purpose, while a 2021 survey demonstrated that gardening at least two to three times a week is associated with higher levels of perceived well-being, less stress, and more physical activity. And then there’s the added benefit if you’re growing herbs or veggies (homegrown produce is typically healthier than supermarket produce).
How to try it: You don’t have to have a backyard or a lot of space to partake in this it-girl craft. Make efficient use of the room you do have by using wall-mounted containers or hanging planters to grow vertically. Or consider joining a community (AKA co-op) garden and add social connection to the list of advantages of gardening.
3. Sourdough Baking
If there was one silver lining of the lockdown, it was conquering the sourdough starter. And while many of us growing up in the early 2000s were (wrongly) taught to fear carbs—namely bread—sourdough is actually a superfood with high nutritional value: The fiber in sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic and helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines (read: promotes a stable, healthy digestive system). Crowe also explained that the fermentation process breaks down gluten, making it easier to digest. Hernandez also noted another lesser-known benefit: “Sourdough baking helps release tension,” she said. “Kneading dough quiets your nervous system and clarifies your thinking.” Crowe agreed: “The entire process is incredibly therapeutic—watching your starter grow, kneading the dough, and patiently waiting for it to rise. It is a slow, mindful practice that requires patience, but the reward of pulling a fresh, golden loaf from the oven is worth it.”
How to try it: First things first, you need to start with, well, a starter. You can either make it from scratch or get a store-bought one (try asking your local bakery or ordering online—this one has rave reviews). Here’s a beginner-friendly step-by-step guide to making sourdough bread.
4. Pickeball or Tennis
If you need an excuse to stock up on tennis core and cosplay as Tashi (see: Zendaya in Challengers), let it be this: Findings from 2018 and 2022 research showed that participants who frequently played racquet sports had greater life expectancies compared to those who took part in other activities like running, cycling, and swimming. The combination of a full-body, low-impact workout, mental stimulation, and social interaction makes racquet sports the secret to optimal well-being.
“Playing racquet sports, such as tennis or pickleball, is one of my top suggestions for clients to help them shift focus from their minds to their bodies,” Hernandez agreed. “They push your brain to make quick decisions and react promptly, promoting mental flexibility.” And tennis or pickleball literally cannot be a solo sport, Hernandez conveyed; they foster social connection—one of the nine common lifestyle behaviors among the Blue Zone communities. Whether you pick up tennis, badminton, or pickleball, you’re increasing your longevity, cognitive strength, and sense of belonging.
How to try it: If you’re a new player, grab the appropriate gear and use a wall to practice hitting, refine hand-eye coordination, and get used to the feel of the racquet. Then enlist a buddy at the same level to rally with, or take advantage of online resources like USTA.com to find local groups, leagues, and hitting partners.
5. Learning a New Language
Being bilingual does more than facilitate communication and give you a sophisticated flair on your foreign vacation; it can actually improve brain health, affecting cognitive well-being and emotional intelligence. A study in Cerebral Cortex discovered that people who speak two languages have more gray matter in the brain (the part of the brain that processes sensation, perception, voluntary movement, learning, speech, and cognition) and therefore better short-term memory, problem-solving skills, and attention span compared to those who only speak one language.
Understanding and speaking another language can also help promote mental flexibility and preserve your brain’s white matter (responsible for helping you process information quickly). “Learning a new language is a brain booster in a big way,” Hernandez explained. “When you learn new information, your brain works harder, making it healthier. Speaking several languages has been proven to make your brain age slower.” Knowing more than one language does your brain major good—from being more adaptable to staving off the effects of aging to increasing working memory, concentration, and creativity.
How to try it: Whether you use an app or find a class at your local university, nothing beats consistency and practice. Some of our favorite tips: Try an app like Preply that matches you with a language tutor for your budget (as little as $5-$10 per hour), write the sentences or words you struggle to remember on Post-Its, and immerse yourself in foreign films in the language you’re learning.
6. Crocheting
Break out the crochet hooks, ladies. The once old-fashioned art form has come full circle with cool girls using the “old lady hobby” to crochet bikini tops and embroider Diet Coke pillows—and it also comes with a wide range of health benefits. One 2013 study concluded that there’s a significant relationship between knitting or crocheting frequency and calmness, happiness, and higher cognitive functioning. Crocheting mimics the act of meditation, meaning you’re getting a lot of similar benefits. “The repetitive actions of knitting/crocheting can soothe the mind and lower stress; it works like resetting your brain,” Hernandez said. “Doing things with your hands helps activate different parts of the brain and keeps it sharp. Also, making something pretty brings feelings of success that increase confidence.”
How to try it: There are endless how-tos on crocheting: Take your pick from guides with instructions and accompanying pictures, YouTube tutorials, and TikToks.
7. Vision Boards Making
If a resolution says, “This is what I need to stop,” a vision board says, “This is what I would like to add.” Instead of honing in on the habits you want to get rid of (and the shame surrounding them), vision boards inspire you to focus on the possibilities in your life. Crowe said it best: Creating a vision board is like designing a roadmap for your future. “It is a simple yet powerful tool to clarify your desires—whether they relate to personal growth, career aspirations, relationships, or new experiences,” she said. By compiling images and words that represent the reality you want to create and viewing them daily, you keep your dreams at the forefront of your mind, which helps you stay focused and motivated. “This practice goes beyond wishful thinking; it reminds you of what you are striving for and inspires you to take action,” Crowe continued.
Whether IRL or via Pinterest, this hobby allows you to tap into your creativity while simultaneously manifesting your dream life (think of it like scrapbooking’s upgraded cousin). According to social scientist Frank Niles, Ph.D., when you visualize something, the brain generates an impulse that tells the neurons to “perform” the movement, creating a new neural pathway that primes your body to act in a way consistent with what you visualized. So when you create a vision board and visualize your desired outcome, you start to “see” how it can unfold.
How to try it: Look no further than our Vision Board 101.
8. Annotating Self-Help Books
If you haven’t heard, the cool girls are annotating their favorite books. It’s a fun, creative way to engage in your reading hobby. And self-improvement can take it a step further by annotating self-help books. Whether you are aiming to improve relationships, enhance your confidence, or manage stress, there’s a book for that. Crowe pointed out that the right self-improvement book can be transformative: “They provide fresh perspectives, assist in breaking negative habits, and offer practical strategies for navigating challenges. Reading these books promotes self-reflection—you begin recognizing your patterns and contemplating ways to change them.” The right books can give you tangible tools to help change your life, and annotating helps the information sink in and helps you remember to apply the advice to your life.
How to try it: Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up 20 self-improvement books that will inspire you to make positive changes toward who you want to be and give you insight on how to attain your goals.
9. DIYing “Daily Use” Products From Scratch
Studies on the so-called “self-creation” effect have found that when individuals make their own product, they appreciate it more, are likely to consume it more mindfully, and experience greater overall happiness. Crowe agreed, adding that DIY-ing your daily-use products (think: nut milk, green juice, bagels, herbal sodas, etc.) also gives you complete control over your consumption, meaning you can avoid unnecessary preservatives or added sugars and focus solely on fresh, clean ingredients—and just think of the money you save when you perfect a green juice or almond milk instead of buying another $8 bottle.
“A rewarding sense of satisfaction comes from making things from scratch, as it helps you connect more deeply with what you eat and drink,” Crowe continued. “Whether blending your morning green juice or experimenting with homemade herbal drinks, preparing your everyday staples yourself adds more mindfulness to your routine.”
How to try it: Thanks to countless online guides (like this, this, this), Martha Stewart’s got nothing on you.
Experts Consulted
APRIL CROWE, LCSW
April Crowe is a licensed therapist at Paramount Wellness Retreat.
RUTH HERNANDEZ
Ruth Hernandez is a licensed clinical psychologist and mental health counselor at AddictionResource.net.