REVEALED: Best hobbies & habits to take up in 2023

A new year often sees people jump on to the ‘new year, new me’ bandwagon in search of sustainable changes or a new passion before it all fizzles out rather quickly.

If you’re looking for some small changes or new hobbies that can have a big impact and improve your overall health and wellness without breaking the bank or slogging away at a gym, we’ve come up with a list that might just do the trick.

Pottery

If you’re in need of a relaxing and therapeutic hobby to delve into this new year, then pottery might be for you.

One of the oldest human inventions, the earliest known ceramics date as far back as 29,000 BC; pottery has developed alongside civilisation.

While it may take a while to get the hang of, pottery can be an enjoyable creative outlet that helps improve focus, reduce stress, encourage sociability and improve quality of life.

If you’re looking to get your hands muddy and give pottery a try, Two Muddy Men are the perfect teachers.

Located along Smart Street Mall and run by local pottery enthusiasts Isaac Gould and Josh Abercrombie, Two Muddy Men offers a range of different workshops, courses and personalised lessons to suit everyone. To find out more, visit the Two Muddy Men website.

Less screen time

While technology no doubt has has its benefits, the dependence on our smartphones, tablets and tech has increased tenfold in recent years.

A study conducted by Reviews.org surveyed 1000 Australians in 2021 and found that the 5.5 hour daily average of screen time for Aussie smartphone users equates to 33 per cent of our waking hours.

While reducing screen time might be a case of easier said than done, there are small steps you and your loved ones can take in the right direction.

1. Track screen time and set limits.

2. Leave your phone out of the bedroom .

3. Establish tech-free zones in the house.

4. Leave your phone behind .

5. Remove unnecessary apps .

Enjoy an early morning swim

This one isn’t for the faint-hearted and while it may take some getting used to, there are a ton of benefits to starting your morning with an early beach dip.

The magnesium found in salt water helps relax muscles, reduce stress and relieve muscle aches, pain and soreness, with the ocean is also found to help release our feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin.

The result is a relaxing, therapeutic experience that helps boosts feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

There’s even the online phenomenon ‘Cold Nips’ that aims to bring Aussies together for a mid-week sunrise swim, organisers popping up at different beaches across the nation to run the early morning events. To find out when Cold Nips is heading to Mandurah next this summer, visit their Facebook page.

Attend a cooking class

Even if you’re cooking skills are up to scratch, taking your partner or a group of friends to a cooking class is always a guaranteed fun night out.

Not only do you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour afterwards, but you’ll enhance your cooking capabilities along the way, improve self-confidence in the kitchen and even boost cultural awareness and appreciation for global cuisines.

While most classes are found closer to Perth, like Salt & Company cooking school and Masters of Taste, Jun’s Kitchen in Meadow Springs offers authentic Japanese style cooking lessons for a range of dishes including sushi rolls, gyoza, homestyle ramen and karaage chicken. For more information, visit junskitchen.com.au.

Get outside and enjoy nature

Stepping outside for some fresh air and vitamin D is probably the easiest and most cost effective new habit to pick up in 2023.

Scientifically proven to have a number of health benefits such as reducing cortisol levels, lowering blood pressure, quicker healing and improving mood and focus, spending more time outdoors speaks for itself.

Whether you’re a fitness fanatic, a photography enthusiast or love to soak up the sea breeze while overlooking the ocean, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy nature.

If you’re in need of some new coastal walk or nature visit inspiration, check out the Coastal Times’ list of local hikes and walks to tick off this summer. You may even bump into one of Thomas Dambo’s friendly Giants along the way.