People love to say they’re unwinding with some hobbies, but take a closer look. You’ll see that a lot of these so-called chill activities are actually a lot more stressful than they seem. So, here are ten hobbies that people fake as relaxing. Which “calming” activity actually ended up stressing you out instead?
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Weekend lawn and garden care
Plenty of people say mowing or trimming helps them clear their heads, although emergency rooms tell another story. Studies found that there were more than 51,000 lawn-mower injuries in America between 2006 and 2013. Some were fractures, others were amputations, and some even had riding mowers show up in fatality reports. That’s not exactly calming.
Reef aquariums
A tank full of clownfish and coral looks rather peaceful. But then you realize it’s essentially a science lab in your living room, which you have to constantly check for salinity & run tests for ammonia. You also need to keep pH and temperature in a narrow range. Just missing a single beat is enough to make the whole system crash in hours.
Backpacking
Lots of people like to think of backpacking as simply walking with a pack through quiet trails. Yet the Grand Canyon’s rescue stats show it’s not quite like that, with over 1,400 emergency medical service calls in one year. Heat & overexertion top the list. Plus, you have to worry about permits and surprise summer storms. It’s relaxing only in the brochure.
Beekeeping
It really doesn’t matter that tending bees sounds meditative because reality shows that it’s not. You have a schedule that you can’t ignore, and spring inspections roll around every week or so. Then come hive splits & swarm control. Don’t forget constant checks for Varroa mites. Once you factor in the gear, like the smoker & suit, it doesn’t seem so laid-back anymore.
Home canning
Sure, making homemade jars of beans or soups seems relaxing. Yet it’s one of those hobbies where the directions aren’t something you can question. In fact, the USDA guides say low-acid foods have to be pressure canned to kill botulism spores, and every recipe has strict timing by altitude. The CDC has reports showing outbreaks coming directly from jars on the shelf. Yeah.
Pottery studios
Throwing clay looks peaceful only in the movies. Real studios come with a list of safety warnings, as clay & glazes can release silica dust that has been linked to lung disease. This usually happens when there’s no proper cleanup & ventilation. But there’s also firing to worry about, with stoneware kilns hitting around 2,232°F. It’s hardly spa-like.
Horseback riding
People like to picture horseback riding as calm & steady, although it’s really just a workout with a lot of risk attached. Horses are strong animals. They don’t always do what you expect, and riders have to sit right while holding the reins correctly. You also need to stay ready for sudden movements & protective gear. Falls? They can be serious.
Scuba diving
Sliding under the surface looks peaceful in travel ads. However, the checklist never stops, as divers need to keep an eye on gauges & watch their depth, then also calculate how much air is left in the tank. The training drills aren’t exactly fun. And they’re not even optional, as just a single slip in planning could cause decompression sickness that’s certainly not relaxing.
Playing the piano
The reality of playing the piano is hours of drills since both of your hands move differently & the sheet music runs on two lines. You also need to keep the tempo steady. It’s harder than it sounds. Most of the time, beginners suffer from sore fingers & missed notes, while experienced players spend weeks smoothing out one song.
Painting at home
Many companies sell art supplies as stress relief. But once you open the paints, it’s completely different because acrylics dry so fast that they leave streaks & oils take forever. There’s also cleanup. Wasted paint also costs money. Rather than being a calm hobby, it often becomes a hassle that simply doesn’t seem to be worth it.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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