The Secret to a Happy Life... and Relationship? Get a Hobby!

Model railways are good for our mental health. And our relationships.

That's according to the latest report from Hornby Hobbies - The Return of the Hobby.

It commissioned a survey into Brits' pastimes and found that we're happier when we hobby!

Nearly all of us have a hobby (93%) with most Brits having a staggering five hobbies on the go. Everything from walking to waltzing, baking to biking and of course... model making. In fact, one fifth (22%) of Brits are into hand crafts like railway modelling as a hobby.

Brits say having a hobby helps improve their mental health, keeps their minds active, reduces stress and boosts happiness.

While it may not be a complete surprise that having a hobby keeps us content, who we hobby with does make a difference!

While those with a hobby reported a higher level of satisfaction with life than those without one, it was people who participated in hobbies with their partners or spouses who reported the highest level of happiness of all (49%).

Hobbying in groups came in second in terms of life satisfaction levels (46%) compared with 34% who hobby solo.

A ringing endorsement for model railway clubs if ever I heard one!

Meanwhile, the Covid pandemic made many of us take stock and focus on more work-life balance. Since Covid, 61% of people say they actively use hobbies to benefit their mental health. There’s also a growing trend towards more mindful hobbies, and nearly half of people say the pandemic gave them the opportunity to try something new and are now more open to trying new hobbies in future.

I'll be discussing all this and more with Olly Raeburn, CEO of Hornby Hobbies, this Thursday, 12th September. PLUS... the surprising new trend among hobbyists that model railway clubs need to know! Watch on Model Railway Quest and don't forget to subscribe to be notified of this and all my future videos.