50 Times People Were So Proud Of Something They Made, They Just Had To Share It (New Pics)

Finding a leisure activity you love isn't just fun. It can also improve your well-being.

Researchers combed through five large studies involving more than 93,000 people across 16 countries (including the United States, Japan, China, and a dozen European countries) and published a meta-analysis in Nature Medicine, suggesting that having a hobby is good for your health, mood, and more. 

The participants they looked at were ages 65 or older, and more than 60% had long-standing mental or physical health conditions. 

People periodically answered questionnaires about their health and well-being and were followed for four to eight years.

Compared with people who didn't have hobbies, those who did reported better health, more happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher overall life satisfaction. Plus, the findings were similar across all countries.

It's worth highlighting that the study is observational and doesn't prove that hobbies directly make people healthier and happier, but the researchers say that activities such as arts and crafts, games, gardening, volunteering, or participating in clubs involve creativity, sensory engagement, self-expression, relaxation, and cognitive stimulation, which are linked to good mental health and well-being.

Not to mention that taking part in hobby groups, even if it's a subreddit like 'Something I Made' keeps you socially connected, which helps reduce loneliness and isolation.

For more cool pictures from this online community, fire up our earlier publications on it here and here.