Whether it’s brewing your own beer, collecting stamps or outsmarting a crafty trout, there are solid health reasons for having a hobbby.
The humble shed has always been a symbol of a physical and (more importantly) mental sanctuary for men. Once inside a man was free to pursuit a hobby of any description — no matter how esoteric. Nowadays, with the demands of work, family and relationships eating away at our precious time, we’ve given away the shed (or converted it into a room for the in-laws). We’re told that hobbies don’t matter, but they do. A man without a hobby may well be missing more than just the chance to get his hands dirty. He might be at risk of serious medical issues.
Australia’s leading health professionals, like Queensland based psychologist Dr. Bob Montgomery, agree that hobbies are one of the key ingredients to a healthy state of mind. Gentlemen, it’s time to saddle up your hobby-horse. All you have to do it pick one you love.
Activities like coin collecting and astronomy have been popular hobbies since ancient times. Nowadays some men like to get back to nature with a little fly fishing or wax lyrical with their buddies about the perfect Bordeaux blend. Some like to engage their fellow man in a more physical way, beating the crap out of him in a medieval fight club. All of these activities, no matter how trivial or bizarre on the surface, are important contributors to a bloke’s physical and psychological wellbeing.
“There are two key components to leading a healthy inner life,” says psychologist Dr. Bob Montgomery. “There are tasks you do for mastery and other you do for pleasure. Mastery doesn’t necessarily mean it was enjoyable as such, but rather that it requires some skill and knowledge to complete, for example changing brake pads on a car or practicing scales on an instrument. Pleasure is anything at all that lifts your mood. A balanced life needs both.” The lucky few derive large amounts of pleasure and mastery from their day jobs. Unfortunately, Dr Montgomery feels that this combination is increasingly difficult to pull off. “The jobs of many Australians comprise nothing more than whatever tasks are left over after machines have done their bit,” he says. The result is a state of chronic under-stimulation that can easily lead to depression. Extracurricular enjoyment is the perfect way to chase the blues away for good. “Hobbies may sound trivial but if you’re talking about something that gives people a sense of mastery, that sense of purpose, that sense of achievement…ultimately if it lifts their mood then it’s anything but trivial. It’s the best antidepressant you can take,” says Dr Montgomery.
Simon Tatz, communications officer for the Mental Health Council of Australia, agrees. An avid record collector, he says, “Hobbies like collecting give people an opportunity to be an expert at something. This position of temporary leadership increases confidence and a feeling of self worth which is especially useful when making important life transitions like changing jobs or retirement.” Need more convincing? A 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who stayed mentally active with hobbies just four days a week were two-thirds less likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to those who rarely challenged their brains. Tatz recommends that the healthiest activities are ones that break the rhythm of daily lives by interacting with other people. Crosswords and sudoku don’t make the grade.
Some hobbies, according to our panel of enthusiasts, can have unintentional benefits. “Beer brewing also improves time management skills because as a home brewer you need to be aware of mashing schedules and when to add hops,” says Gary Picker, president of Canberra Brewers Association. While Rod Sell, president of the Australian Numismatics Society has this to say of coin collecting: “Coin collectors gain expertise in public speaking and an expanded knowledge of past and present societies”. Even medieval reenactments have added benefits. “They enhance leadership skills and self confidence. Most of the combat can also be used as real life self defense as they involve some form of grappling,” says Justin Webb, an avid recreationist.
That said, beware of being bullied into an activity you’re not really into. “To gain the psychological benefit of a hobby you have to enjoy it and actually see some success from your actions,” says Dr Montgomery. The key is also to choose one you can afford. Hobbies need not be expensive. Roman and Greek coins over 2000 years old can be bought for less than $10 and activities like astronomy are pretty much free for first timers.
If suddenly announcing that you’re repairing to the lounge to pore over your stamp collection is likely to draw scowls of disapproval from the other half, don’t worry. Just hit her with this bit of wisdom from our old friend Dr Montgomery: “Men probably feel more entitled to have hobbies because they’ve been encouraged from a very young age through sport. It’s a healthy expectation. Women, on the other hand, are told that the needs of kids and family are more important than they are. It’s not a healthy attitude. They need hobbies too.”
Hobbies are fun – lots of fun. They let you get back in touch with the awestruck wonder you had as a child. Fly fishing instructor John Coles illustrates the potential transformative effects of a well chosen hobby: “I once saw a guy who had been battling cancer completely change when he was fishing. It’s a bit like meditation: you clear your mind of everything else.”
When you’re in the zone it’s easy to get obsessed and want to turn your hobby into a day job. Some of the lucky ones do. After rediscovering his childhood passion for astronomy at the age of 26, Perry Vlahos became increasingly drawn into the orbit of the Astronomical Society of Victoria. ” I gradually learnt more about astronomy until I became the head of the astronomical society. I have since written several books on the subject too,” he says.
So whether you’re in desperate need of some simple me-time or dream of turning your passion into a profession, here are fifteen hobbies you should know about and how to get started. The rest is up to you.
BOX:
1. FISHING/FLYFISHING
“Fishing makes you more aware of the natural world and what’s happening ecologically,” says John Coles, owner of John Coles Fly Fishing School in NSW (www.jcflyfishing.com.au). The ultimate challenge — pitting all your skill, wits and knowledge of the environment against that of the fish — is fly fishing. No book or DVD can teach you how: like learning to ride a bike, it’s easy but you need to be shown by a pro. A decent starter kit will cost $300 - $400. Magazines portals like FlyLife (flylife.com.au) and Fishing Guides (fishingguides.com.au) have good forums where you can ask members questions.
2. HOME BREWING
Gary Picker, President of the Home Brewers Association of Canberra says, “If you can appreciate subtle differences in beer styles and like the idea of having quality beer at an affordable price, then home brewing might be your thing.” He explains that attending the first few club meetings is usually free until you’re sure that home brewing is your cup of…er, beer. “Many amateur brewers like Daniel Rayner started at local clubs. Rayner just won the Champion Beer of Show with his Imperial Stout at the 2006 Australian Amateur Brewer’s Championships,” says Picker. A reusable home brewing kit will cost less than $100. (Approximately $10 million less than a winery.) For more information grab a copy of BYO magazine or visit www.malthouse.com.au and www.brewcraft.com.au.
3. MODEL RAILWAYS
Owner of Orient Express Model Railway Shop in Adelaide, Fred Tetzlaff explains that, for many enthusiasts, the appeal of model railways lies beyond the rails themselves. “Some are just interested in the trains, but most people enjoy building entire miniature worlds. Frequently they’re scaled from real life environments complete with miniature dirt and graffiti,” he says. Realism is key to a good train diorama and some enthusiasts even mimic the operational schedules of the railway yards they’re built to represent. A quality set starts at $400 but $2000 will get some scenery as well. Go for HO gauge trains (1:87 scale) as it’s the most popular scale worldwide and has the largest range of accessories. For more information call Fred Tetzlaff (08 8271 7861) pick up a copy of Australian Model Railway Magazine or contact the Australian Model Railway Association (www.amra.asn.au).
4. LEARN AN INSTRUMENT
“Listening to music is a good way to get thinking about what styles and instruments appeal before you lay out the cash for a new Fender Stratocaster or something,” explains Melbourne based musician and harmonica tutor, Ian Collard says. For him, playing an instrument has “meditative qualities”. One of the easiest ways to get in the groove is humble harmonica. “For around $20 you get an instrument that can’t play an off note but you can still do great things with it,” he says. Hook up with a blues society
(most states have one) and watch instrument lessons for free on YouTube. Contact Collard for lessons (03 9387 2909) or the Blue Tongue Harmonica School (bluetongueharmonica.com.au). For almost any other instrument seek out the Australian Music Teachers’ Register (amtr.com.au).
5. POKER
Frank Maley, director of the Western Australia Poker League (www.wapokerleague.com.au) says that the best way to find out if poker is your thing is to lay your money on the table – for a $10 annual club membership, that is. Guests can visit poker clubs for no fee to get a feel for the vibe. “Many poker nights are social events with themes like guys versus girls. Some of the bigger ones attract up to 300 players,” he says. Players tend to become good at reading body language in non poker situations and occasionally they even strike it rich. Joe Hachem, an amateur player who earned a seat at the world poker tournament, went on to collect $9.6 million. Bluff magazine (www.bluffmagazine.com) is a great source of info.
6. COIN AND STAMP COLLECTING
Coin collector Rod Sell, president of the Australian Numismatic Society (www.the-ans.com) says that the appeal of coin and stamp collecting is in the “interesting story coins and stamps tell of past societies”. Many novices start with no real focus but frequently gravitate towards coins or stamps from a particular period of region. “A full date set is hard to obtain as there are always some years when the mintage was low — like for example the 1930 penny,” he says. “We always suggest to new collectors that they should buy the book [on the era of currency] before the coin. In Sydney the best coin and stamp show is on at the Petersham Town Hall every fifth Sunday in a month”, says Sell. For more information The Australian Coin and Banknote magazine has a list of all the clubs.
7. COMIC COLLECTING
Manager of Kings Comics in Sydney, Jim Papagrigoriou claims that the appeal of comics is broader than ever. “Movies like 300 and Sin City were based on graphic novels and the comic industry is good at reinventing itself with new talent. Stephen King and writers from TV shows Smallville, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lost are just a few of the big names writing comics,” says Papagrigoriou. Collectors tend to go for an unbroken run of one title. Log on to Wizard Universe (wizarduniverse.com) or Newsarama (www.newsarama.com) or look out for a Supanova Pop Culture Expos in Melbourne Sydney and Brisbane (www.supanova.com.au).
8. MILITARY MINIATURE SIMULATIONS
Peter Stone, owner of military simulation store Milsims (www.milsims.com.au) in Victoria says, “Sometimes the guys [who play battle recreation games] tend to be a little eccentric — in a positive way, like artists. Most are either history or sci-fi/fantasy addicts who want to do more than just read about it.” This hobby is so much more than painting and posing hundreds of toy soldiers to resemble famous battles. These pint-size battles are fought according to Dungeons and Dragons style rules. Confused? Visit your local club to watch a game in progress or even join in (hey it’s only war right?). Better yet, in January 2008 visit the largest expo of military miniatures in Australia: Cancon 2008. For more information contacting a club like the Canbera Games Society (www.cgs.asn.au) or gaming porthole Games Workshop (oz.games-workshop.com).
9. FURNITURE RESTORATION
Jason Thatcher, owner of the furniture Restoration Centre in Mornington Victoria (Furniturerestoration.com.au) says that the appeal lies in seeing a piece’s transformation, researching its history, searching junk stores and learning the skills to make it happen. “Unfortunately there are no furniture restoration clubs in Australia yet!” he laments, so DIY-ers have to go it alone. Test out new skills on cheap “practice” furniture from markets or second hand shops and learn new techniques at events like Bunnings’ tool days. “Restoring your wife’s/girlfriend’s/grandfather’s rocking chair can be an emotional thing. I’ve seen people cry when they view the finished thing,” he says. Thatcher recommends talking to furniture restorers when they’re not busy to glean handy tips and search online for general info at places like howstuffworks.com
10. CAR/MOTORCYCLE CLUBS
Ron Prouse, sales manager for Shannons Insurance, a national classic car and motorcycle insurance company, says, “An enthusiast with a $2000 Morris Marina can be talking to someone with a $4 million Ferrari and they both get it. Being a car or motorcycle nut is a great social leveler.” It’s also still relatively affordable. Cult classics like BMW 2002 costing only a few thousand dollars. “Still, you can’t take something like a model T to a Ford dealership for tuning so you have to have at least some mechanical interest,” says Prouse. Long weekends like Australia day and Easter are particularly popular times to hold car shows (check what’s on guides in your local paper) and are a good place to get a broad feel for what makes and models interest you. For more information Shannons (www.shannons.com.au) have a listing of clubs by state.
11. WINE APPRECIATION
Peter Leske, director of the National Wine Centre of Australia in Adelaide, has this advice for budding oneophiles: “Don’t be afraid of the apparent complexity of the wine world. There are always people willing to help decipher it all…over a good glass of wine, of course.” Talk to knowledgeable retailers (many have free tastings) or attend a course like Understanding Wine at Wine SA (www.winesa.asn.au). Leske stresses that it’s not essential to become a collector to appreciate wine so your hobby can cost as little as the price of the next bottle. “You don’t need a cellar and all the fancy gear. Specialist retailers will offer rare and aged wines stored in ideal conditions.” he says. Look out for books by wine experts like Jancis Robinson, James Halliday, Max Allen, Huon Hooke and Matthew Jukes. Some wine clubs offer cheap drops for members but little or no advice while others are into education and appreciation. Research before you join. For more information visit Wine Australia (www.wineaustralia.com/Australia) and Wine Diva (www.winediva.com.au).
12. ASTRONOMY
Perry Vlahos, a keen astronomer and media liaison officer for the Astronomical Society of Victoria, says, “I think there’s an innate and very primal need in all of us to find out our place in the universe.” Armchair enthusiasts are welcome to attend ASV monthly meetings where guest experts frequently give mind-expanding talks. For new members eager to discover a star of their own, the ASV loan out what Vlahos calls “sizeable telescopes” for several months for the paltry sum of $10. For serious beginners an eight inch dobsonian telescope can be bought for around $400. Many members gather on “dark sky nights” where up to 60 telescopes might be on the field. Vlahos uses an industrial strength laser pointer capable of shining two kilometres into the sky, to point out features in the heavens. For more information contact your local astronomical society — Victoria (www.asv.org.au), NSW (www.asnsw.com) QLD (www.aaq.org.au) – and pick up a copy of Sky and Telescope (www.skyandtelescope.com), Astonomy magazine (www.astronomy.com) or go straight to the source: NASA www.nasa.gov.
13. ONLINE MULTI-PLAYER GAMES
Computer games have come a long way since Donkey Kong. A simulated world called Second Life is the latest and most sophisticated multi-player game online.
Players can do things like go sky diving or sailing or engage in more serious pursuits like attending universities. Second Life appeals to people for whom real life poses too many limitations: Inventors test brand new products, musicians like Suzanne Vega and Jay Z give concerts, and regular folks can build the mansion of their dreams. (One “resident” in the real world suffers from cerebal palsy but runs a dancing club called Wheelies in Second Life.) Sure, you can play shoot-em-up video games in there as well but Second life is so much more.
For more information visit second life (www.secondlife.com)
14. PHOTOGRAPHY
John Hodgson, the Immediate Past President of the Australian Photographic Society, says, “Photographers have a unique perspective of the world. They are more sensitive to the way light falls and the beauty of even mundane objects.” Finding a photography club is as easy as looking in the Yellow Pages but choosing the right gear is a little harder. “Don’t buy a camera until you’ve spoken to a professional photographer. Landscape, portrait and close up photography require different kits,” he says. Professional SLR digital camera can be bought for around $1000 allowing you to see the picture you took while you’re still standing in the lighting conditions. “It’s a great learning tool,” he says. For more information visit manufacturer websites like Nikon.com and club sites like Passion for Pixels (www.passionforpixels.com) and the Australian Photographic Society (www.a-p-s.org.au).
15. MEDIEVAL RE-CREATIONISTS
Justin Webb, a passionate medieval re-creationist explains that men are initially attracted to the hobby because of the swordplay and the armor. That tends to include martial artists, war gamers, role players and members of the armed forces. “There are an astounding number of different groups, from ancient Greeks, Roman legionaries, gladiators, Vikings, Saxons, Normans, knights and musketeers. Some groups focus on archery, wrestling or jousting,” says Webb. With 800 reenactors and 20000 spectators The Abbey Medieval Festival and Tournament is the largest in the southern hemisphere. Expect to pay $200-$1000 for a good sword, $500-$5000 for armour (www.themedievalemporium.com). For more information visit The Australian Register of Living History Organizations (www.arlho.net) or to cut straight to the battle visit The International Jousting Association www.worldjousting.com.
Words by Adam McCulloch. Originally published in Men’s Health. The format has been altered to suit Tumblr.
