Paddle Boarding the Ultimate Hobby
We all need something that takes us away from the stressors of the daily grind. Coping skills are such a critical part of regulating our stress levels and that’s where a hobby can be so beneficial. When I got into paddle boarding (SUP) that is exactly what I was looking to find. I believe that paddle boarding is the ultimate hobby, which will provide that enjoyable experience for those that are looking for something new.
Why we need Hobbies
What is a hobby? The whole purpose of a hobby is just to have fun doing a worthwhile activity.
We all have monotonous tasks that we have to complete throughout our day to day lives. Without hobbies, life can start to become less enjoyable, which can have a negative impact on our well-being.
Hobbies give us something to look forward to, helps us to find passion, and can be used to grow.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of having a hobby and how paddle boarding can check those boxes.
Here are some of the major benefits of having a hobby:
Socialization
Some hobbies are more solitary than others, but for the most part you will make new connections with people. Starting a new hobby connects you with individuals that are like minded. As we get older, making friends doesn’t come as natural, but when we are surrounding ourselves with people that are doing what we love to do than it makes it easier to build those relationships. Not only do hobbies allow us to meet people in person, but it connects us with online communities through various social media platforms.
Allows us to Break Away from Routine
As funny as it sounds, sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to take a break from work or parenting or whatever else fills up our days. When you commit to something like a class, trip, or activity it’s more likely that you will give yourself a break from your daily routine.
Develop Talents or Skills
Starting a new hobby can open us up to developing skills that we would have never thought about. We can easily be caught up in a tunnel vision mindset by focusing on completing daily tasks, that we become stagnant. Our hobbies can allow us to develop talents and skills through working towards something that we enjoy. Many hobbies help us to find the true career path that makes us feel like we are serving our life’s purpose.
Improves Creativity
When our minds are at ease it tends to open us up to new ideas and being creative. Developing new hobbies can ignite new passions within us which allow us to think about new ways of seeing the world. Thinking more creatively through our hobbies can carry over into problem-solving in all areas of our lives.
Reduces Stress and Benefits Mental Health
Finding a new hobby that you enjoy, just makes you have a more positive outlook on life. Without hobbies or interests, it’s easy for things like depression to occur. A hobby can help you break away from your job or other things that can be weighing you down, so you can just have fun. A hobby can give us something to look forward to and being part of something that is rewarding. Hobbies often can challenge us to work towards goals or improve our self-esteem.
Physical Health
Hobbies can be a great way to improve physical health. It’s no secret that we are spending more time living sedentary lifestyles. Things like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity are more and more problematic. Getting involved in a hobby you enjoy that incorporates physical fitness, will most likely increase your probability of sticking with it. When you are doing something that you don’t really enjoy like the gym, just for results, it becomes drudgery to stick it out.
How Paddle Boarding Checks the Right Boxes
As we can see there are so many benefits to starting a hobby. When I was looking for something new to be involved in, many of these benefits were things that I hoped to find.
I was really excited to discover that paddle boarding could check these boxes and so much more.
Paddle boarding is such a versatile hobby that can be fulfilling in different ways.
Socialization
Paddle boarding is an excellent activity to do with others. It’s been a great activity that I’ve been able to do as a family activity, which brings us all closer together. My kids can ride right along with me on my board. When I start something new I like to learn everything I can from others, so I’ve been able to connect with other fellow paddle boarders in that regard.
Allows us to Break Away from Routine
Unless you are lucky enough to live on a lake, typically paddle boarding is a planned event. We live around 20 miles from a lake, so when I go paddle boarding it typically turns into something more than just something to do on a whim.
Develop Talents or Skills
Paddle boarding develops more physical skills than anything else. It takes proper balancing techniques to ride on your SUP. Paddle boarding has many opportunities to develop things like mindfulness through yoga activities or competition through racing.
Improves Creativity
There is just something about being out in nature or on the water that allows our minds to work. The water seems to bring a tranquility to our brain. Paddle boarding can be an individual experience where we can become one with our surroundings to allow those creative thoughts to flow.
Reduces Stress and Benefits Mental Health
If leisurely strolling along the water isn’t relaxing, then I’m not sure what else is. Just being able to take in oxygen while using your paddle board helps reduce stress levels. The act of being involved in an activity that you enjoy reduces the possibilities of depression.
Physical Health
SUP can be something that is either a high-intensity fitness activity like surfing or paddle racing or milder when just gently paddling around. Regardless of the activity, paddle boarding is burning calories and working various parts of the body. SUP is particularly good for strengthening the core muscles and upper body. I wrote a post you can read here on the health benefits of SUP.
All in all, Hobbies do so much to enrich our lives and make our days a little brighter. As you can see, paddle boarding has so much to offer as a hobby.
If you enjoy being outdoors, around the water and being active, then you’ll find that paddle boarding is worth checking out.
Please comment below on anything that you enjoyed from this post.