Hobbies can be quite varied. Some people play bingo online, others like pottering around in the garden, tending their fledgling herb garden. Different strokes, different folks, as they say. The good news is that whatever hobby floats your boat, any pastime that you engage in purely for fun provides a multitude of benefits, both physically and psychologically.

What better way to stay busy than by doing something you love? That pastime you've been toying with could be just the ticket for a healthier, more satisfying life. Cultivating a leisure activity can provide a creative outlet and could succeed in focusing your attention on something other than your everyday concerns. This is a good way to keep your mind active and relieve stress that builds up due to work and daily worries. The acquisition of new skills and knowhow can also boost self-esteem and ease the sometimes disruptive transition into a new community or even retirement by providing a structured opportunity for social interaction.

Hobbies like bingo games have the potential to engage players both physically and mentally, which relates to a lowered risk of depression and dementia in older people. This provides individuals with a way to stay engaged on various levels, keeping them in the here and now. Hobbies can engage people on three different levels, namely:

• Distraction: Hobbies help to pass the time.

• Passion: Once a person takes up a hobby they soon develop a passion for it, engaging them even further.

• A sense of purpose: Creating something or interacting with like-minded people creates a feeling of purpose, something everyone needs in their life.

So, what kind of hobby would be most beneficial? According to research conducted on the topic, pastimes that require specific skills are the most satisfying, mainly because the level of commitment necessary to acquire new skills results in a higher level of engagement. Hobbies like walking, on the other hand, pose many health benefits that also relates to a sharper mind.

There really is no right or wrong where hobbies are concerned. Your pastime can be as general ("needlework") or as specific ("collecting stamps from the Second World War") as you like. What matters is that it holds your interest. When you like something, learning the necessary skills and doing background research becomes part of the fun. Large hobby shows and craft shops are great venues to get some inspiration. Community colleges and centres also quite often offer classes in activities that range from watercolour lessons to ballroom dancing. Here are a few hobby suggestions to get you thinking:

• Scrapbooking. Very hot right now, scrapbooking is a superb way to preserve your precious memories by creatively arranging photos and memorabilia that would otherwise be gathering dust in some forgotten corner of your home. Craft stores stock albums, pages and stickers to inspire you and often conduct workshops or meetings where you can meet some like-minded creatives like yourself.

• Model building. Not for the lazy or easily discouraged, model construction requires a lot of patience and skill. However, those who have the time and inclination to build these small, intricate models are rewarded with improved concentration and focus, which completely transports one from everyday worries.

• Collecting. A collection is a pastime that grows with the collector, as their knowledge of the subject and its history grows more complex. Collections can include anything from vintage love letters, costume jewellery, Coca Cola paraphernalia, semi-precious stones, butterfly specimens, coins, stamps, exotic plant specimens, decorative tins, wigs, toy cars…anything really.

• Calligraphy. Do you take a vast amount of pride in your handwriting? Why not sign up for a calligraphy class and hone your exquisite lettering skills? Many craft stores offer classes in this form of decorative writing, so ask around for a class in your area.

• Bird watching. Whether you sign up for lengthy outings to catch sight of rare bird species or simply hang a bird feeder in your backyard to entice our feathered friends, bird watching can be a very rewarding pastime. Many towns and cities have bird watching clubs that get together regularly to discuss their recent sightings.

This is but the tip of the leisure pursuit iceberg. Other activities you could consider include: genealogy, photography, gardening, embroidery, song writing, ceramics, woodworking and much, much more. The point is to pick something you enjoy – one man’s pleasure is another man’s chore, after all. And stop feeling guilty about the evenings you play online bingo, it might just be lengthening your life.