This may sound surprising, but most people that travel a lot spend way too much time on their computers. For most travelers, it has become almost compulsory. They are constantly coordinating travel statistics, looking for local events and visiting tourist sites and at the end of the day, they usually end up watching movies or tv-shows or getting drunk at hotels.
This may work for some people, but in reality, traveling can be much more rewarding when you develop some interesting hobbies along the way. Hobbies are a great way to unplug and have many benefits for your health and mental wellbeing. These enjoyable activities can help you relax, lower your stress level and by exploring your talents through new challenges and experiences you will certainly feel more alive and build up your self-esteem.
Here are 5 hobbies you can pick up while traveling.
1. Hiking and Mountaineering
This is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the countries you visit.
If you’re a traveler and you always wanted to hike, there are all kinds of amazing opportunities.
Most countries you will travel to will have some kind of mountains to climb. Also, if you’re into serious mountaineering then you can specifically organize your travels around mountain ranges you always dreamed of climbing.
Hiking also has many health benefits. It’s a great form of exercise and there is nothing better for increasing your heart-rate than a brisk climb. Hiking reduces your blood pressure and cortisol levels while producing a calming effect only nature can offer. It’s the best way to clear your mind and reduce stress.
2. Kayaking
If you love water and you always wanted to explore big lakes or the sea coast of the places you want to visit, then you must try kayaking. Kayaking has many benefits from improving your health, mental strength, physical appearance to enhancing your social life. Although some aspects of this hobby require some practice and training, the basics of kayaking can be learned in a day.
If you’re not the fitness type, and you enjoy the water with relaxing activities such as fishing then maybe try kayak fishing. It’s a hugely popular summer sport and not only will you get the chance to be out on the water but you will experience kayaking in a whole new way.
In most places, you can always rent a kayak. However, like most people, once you fall in love with kayak fishing you will develop a need to have one of your own. So, if you’re like almost every sport fisherman that likes to have his own equipment then maybe check out this ultimate guide on choosing the best fishing kayak and maybe you will find a kayak that will suit your travels.
3. Photography
Ok, we all know that photography is highly popular with travelers and is a logical choice that goes with the travel lifestyle. Nevertheless, it is, in fact, the perfect hobby you can develop while traveling. For someone that wants to improve their photography skills, the key is practice, practice. It is important that you try to find beauty in every place you visit and look for opportunities to take unique photos that capture the real soul.
Buying a high-quality camera will always help, but don’t worry if you just use your phone. Today, even the most basic smartphone can make amazing pics, and as we all know what really makes a great picture is a great subject and great composition.
4. Writing
This is one of the most rewarding and easy travel hobbies out there. Writing can help you to engage more deeply in your thoughts, where you can explore a subject with more focus and contemplation you usually can’t afford. Writing, as a way of recording your adventures, makes your experiences more personal than just taking visual images.
When writing, we don’t just capture the mental image of the moment, but also the emotional impact the moment has on us. Because of this, writing can help us to better appreciate all those little experiences a photo can’t capture. You can always write a journal, blog post or even try writing a novel to record your adventures and experiences.
Write about new exciting activities you tried or encounters with interesting people you might have had. Or even better, use these encounters as an inspiration for your new exciting tales.
5. Cooking
This hobby is highly practical for travelers. The ability to self-cater can really expand your selection of readily available accommodation and will make you a more independent and self-sustaining backpacker or camper. Cooking can save you big amounts of money while traveling without having to rely on instant-made unhealthy foods. This hobby grows with travel, and everywhere you go you will have a chance to try new tastes and ingredients. All of these different cooking techniques you learned during your travels you can, in the end, incorporate at home. They will always remind you of the adventures you had and the interesting people you met in your travels.
Apart from learning to make tasty foods, cooking can improve your concentration, ability to focus on a task and your attention to detail. When you prepare a dish, you need to pay close attention to everything you’re doing or your dish will go downhill. Also, preparing an amazing meal is one of the traveler’s best assets to make immediate friends. For example, if you’re staying in a hostel or traveling with a group knowing your way around the kitchen will make you extremely valuable. Everyone has to eat, and if you can make great meals that are pocket-friendly, then you are everybody’s hero.
Final word
Hobbies you pick up while traveling will help you appreciate new destinations and cultures in a new light. You will be able to try new activities and new locations and the experience you get will make you a more independent traveler. Remember, getting good at something takes time lots of practice and discipline. Once you get good at one hobby, it will be easier for you to take on the next one.
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