Any leisure pursuit that sparks joy and provides purpose is a worthwhile endeavour, but certain hobbies – ones that involve intensive use of the hands – come with an impressive set of collateral perks.
Because the hands occupy a disproportionately large area of the brain’s motor and sensory cortex, fine motor work (like the kind required by knitting, wood-carving or clay-sculpting) activates dense neural networks and reinforces cognitive pathways. In other words, it exercises the mind, allowing the brain to reorganise and form the kind of new connections that help us maintain mental sharpness as we age. Handiwork, as it turns out, is also work for the noggin.
Of course, you can only reap the benefits of a hands-on hobby that you commit to practising often, and the best way to stick to a pursuit is to choose one you enjoy and which fits seamlessly into your life. Not sure where to start? Let us help.
