Having hobbies might feel silly or appear as only something retired folks need, but doing activities outside of work has a number of proven benefits. Having a hobby you enjoy can lower stress levels, boost job performance, and increase your feelings of purpose and belonging. That's because when you do things you enjoy during your free time, that level of happiness transfers over to other parts of your life. Engaging in hobbies can improve your work performance by making you more focused and acquiring skills that employers find attractive. But finding something you enjoy doing can be tough. So to help guide you along, below are a few tips to help find a suitable hobby for you.

Go back to your childhood

Think back to a time when work and responsibilities didn't overwhelm your life. During childhood, you had the freedom to do whatever you pleased, so what did you love to do as a kid? Maybe you were always coloring. Then consider taking up an art class or buying an adult coloring book. Maybe you loved getting into costume and performing skits for your family. Then why not join a theater group? Most likely whatever interests you had as a kid, you still have as an adult.

Try several ideas and find what fits

If you're having trouble finding ideas from your past, then try a few hobbies and see what sticks. Simply browsing a craft store, sporting goods store, or bookstore can help you figure out what you might be drawn to. Maybe you gravitate toward the cookbooks or find yourself captivated by the knitting supplies. And if you try out knitting and find it dull and monotonous, then move on to the next activity. Don't be discouraged just because you don't fall in love with the first few hobbies you pick. Eventually, you'll find something that you won't want to stop doing.

Figure out what you already like

What do you already love? Maybe you are obsessed with the history channel, so consider volunteering at your local history museum. Maybe you love watching sports, so why not join a soccer or softball team? Maybe you love collecting rocks and crystals, so sign up for a geology class or learn how to identify gemstones. Mineral hobbyist Howard Fensterman's website comprises information on these stones to help any beginner or aspiring geologist. In his blog, you can find resources on the healing properties and history of various minerals to inform yourself as you build your own rock collection. You can also learn how to properly take care of your gemstones.

Go back to where you left off

Think back to projects you might have forgotten about it and take them up again. Maybe you got busy with work and forgot about that scrapbook you were making of your European vacation. Or maybe you have some old macrame projects stuffed away in a closet that you forgot to finish. Wander around your home and see if you find an activity you'd be interested in starting up again.

Look at your own skillset

Identify what your current talents and skills are to see what hobby might be a suitable fit for you. Do you have a green thumb? Then consider taking up gardening or growing plants indoors. Having a garden or nursery takes patience, dedication, and lots of research in order to decipher how to take care of flowers and herbs versus aralia fabian care. If you are interested in gardening, then purchasing plants online is a great way to get started, especially for beginners.

Get involved

One of the best ways to discover a new hobby is by taking a class or joining a group. Find group activities online through Meetup or tag along with a friend to her dance class. If you love eating or consider yourself a foodie, then sign up for a cooking class to hone those culinary abilities. Even if you don't end up liking the hobby, you might make a new friend along the way!