If you’re anything like the majority of people, the odds are quite good that when you have some free time to yourself, you sink into the sofa and put on your favourite TV programme, or get lost down the rabbit hole of videos, social media posts, articles, and gossip snippets online. 

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with “unwinding” in a totally unproductive way every now and then. But if the majority of your free time is basically being spent on these unproductive activities, that’s not so good. 

Productive hobbies can help you to get more done with your free time, while still enjoying yourself. They can help you to set a good example for your kids. And, of course, they can make you into a more well-rounded and interesting person, in general. 

So, here are a few productive hobbies you may want to think about getting into.

 DIY – ranging from ponds, to bookshelves and more 

There’s something primal in every man, that realises the value and importance of having good, practical DIY skills – and building or repairing things with your own hands is often one of the most fulfilling experiences you’re likely to have, too. 

Whether you are interested in getting in touch with the best pond management company, and building the best possible ornamental pond in your back garden, or whether you are impressed by the idea of building your own furniture – from bookshelves, to tables, to chairs – pursuing an interest in DIY can certainly help to make life feel a good deal more interesting, while also giving you a useful skillset to play with. 

Luckily, there are all sorts of books, courses, and yes, tutorial videos, to help you get started honing your DIY skills.

Journalling 

Journalling more or less faded into obscurity, as a hobby, a number of years ago – and especially for men. 

In fact, though, there is something of a journalling renaissance taking place right now, largely thanks to the work of Ryder Carroll and his intuitive and minimalistic “Bullet Journal Method.” 

Journalling allows you to properly reflect on, and “digest,” your experiences on an everyday basis. It grants insight, and helps you to work past any problems you might previously have been experiencing. 

Journalling also acts as a great way of leaving something for posterity – a record of your thoughts, experiences, and ideas along the way. 

You don’t need to begin keeping a very elaborate journal. It would be enough for you to just make a short entry every day, with some thought or summary of events. 

Martial arts 

Martial arts are an extremely practical pastime to take up – because the world is not “safe,” and it’s always better to have the skills at your disposal to protect yourself and the people you care about, rather than to need the skills but not have them. 

Apart from the practical benefits, though, martial arts are also a great way of becoming and staying fit, burning off excess energy, and working out tension and aggression. 

What’s more, many martial arts systems have grading processes in place – meaning that you always have some goal to work towards.