I took up protesting as my hobby in 2020. It’s been very rewarding. I’ve met lots of people, it gives you something to look forward to, lets you get your aggression out, and gives you a real sense of accomplishment. I’m not really even picky about specifics as long as it’s for a cause I feel good about.

Gardening is a great hobby. It gets you outside regularly and is quite addictive. I grow flowers and vegetables from March to October every year.

I also recommend biking, gym, yoga, and pilates as hobbies.

Crossword puzzles.

I’m a woman in my 40s too. Cross stitch and crochet are very relaxing for me but I know you said you’re not crafty. The other thing that is tremendously helpful for my mental health is exercise. I was able to stop taking medication for depression and anxiety after I got into running. I love anything that gets me in nature: hiking, biking, and kayaking.

I also started lifting weights because that becomes very important for women’s health as we enter middle age. I used to hate weights, but working with a personal trainer for a few sessions built up my confidence.

Anonymous wrote:I’d like to take on a new hobby to help my mental well-being. I’m drastically cutting back on my drinking habit, struggling with the state of our country, and feeling really down about a close friend who has kind of backed away from me (don’t know why). I thought it might be good to get interested in something new that I’d look forward to doing or going to. I’m a 45yo female. Any suggestions? I’m not really into arts or crafts.

Underwater basket weaving

I've re-taken up crochet in the last few months to deal with similar issues OP, and it has helped. I started with a couple really easy wearable projects for family members, and that was satisfying, so now I'm working on a harder project for myself (a sweater) and I like chipping away at it a little each day. Sometimes I do it while watching TV or listening to a podcast, but sometimes I just sit on my balcony and crochet while drinking tea in the morning and it's become a soothing ritual. I love how it keeps my hands occupied so I can't look at my phone.

I also have recently been trying to do yoga daily. I started following a YouTuber (Yoga with Kassandra) who has a 30-day morning yoga challenge and a 30-day evening yoga challenge. These videos are really easy and accessible, but she also has more intermediate videos that are a bigger challenge so now I've started doing those more. I also sometimes go to in person yoga classes, but having a way to do it free at home has made me more consistent. Sometimes when I start to feel stressed or anxious, I'll just go find a 10 or 15 minute yoga video and do it, and immediately notice I feel more relaxed and grounded.

Interested in a dog? Comes with a slew of possible hobbies:

Going for walks/runs
Training tricks
Therapy visits to nursing homes or group homes
Group classes
Dog sports like agility, disc, flyball, dock diving
Hiking

Community theater - on stage or behind it.

The NYTimes games are an easy distraction and can be played throughout the day.

Lately I’ve started my day with them instead of reading the paper, which I do in the p.m.

Travel
Writing
Reading

My public library has a book of the month club. You could go the library and ask if they have any volunteer opportunities there, or know of any in the area.

Look for a lover. He or she will keep you busy and engaged.

Ballroom/salsa dancing.
Being active does wonders.

Learning to play a musical instrument
Hiking
Learning a new language
Volunteer with animals
Learning to cook something special (or even baking, pastry etc)
Crochet
Join a group in your area of interest (book club/house of worship etc)

I’d like to take on a new hobby to help my mental well-being. I’m drastically cutting back on my drinking habit, struggling with the state of our country, and feeling really down about a close friend who has kind of backed away from me (don’t know why). I thought it might be good to get interested in something new that I’d look forward to doing or going to. I’m a 45yo female. Any suggestions? I’m not really into arts or crafts.