Posted on 10/24/2025 6:09:28 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
There's probably a lot going on in your life that can be turning you into a ball of stress (guilty!). But what if all it took to help you unravel that stress ball was a little yarn, a favorite feel-good book, or a great cookie recipe? If you're looking for a low-cost, high-reward self-care treat, taking up a grandma-inspired hobby may be just what the doctor ordered to help you unwind after a busy or stressful day.
And it turns out, knitting, baking, and other cozy pursuits can have plenty of benefits for you (beyond a cute scarf or a delicious batch of cookies). Get the scoop on granny hobbies, their benefits—and how to find the best one for you.
What Are Grandma Hobbies?
Generally, "grandmacore" hobbies are the kinds of quiet, slow hobbies you can take your time doing. They also tend to be on the crafty and creative side—such as sewing and crocheting.
Sewing - Quilting - Crocheting and Knitting - Embroidery and Needlework - Baking - Canning - Gardening - Reading - Birdwatching - Board Games - Jigsaw Puzzles
Why Are Cozy Hobbies Popular Now?
Honestly, these pursuits never went out of vogue entirely—who ever stopped baking goodies? But granny hobbies like knitting and baking really took off in 2020, when everyone was spending more time at home. Even if your sourdough starter died off years ago, the passion for some of these cozy hobbies has continued to thrive, as they're not only relaxing pursuits, but also activities that can be shared, whether you're creating a homemade quilt to give as a gift or working on a jigsaw puzzle with your loved ones.
And it doesn't hurt that people are posting plenty about these pursuits on TikTok and other social media, too! This buzz is only increasing the interest in these hobbies.
Mental Health Benefits of "Old-Fashioned" Hobbies
While enjoying freshly baked bread or some pretty flowers from your garden is one big benefit of these hobbies, there are also some science-backed reasons to try these relaxing pasttimes, says Tiffany C. Ho, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at the Brain Research Institute at University of California, Los Angeles.
Cozy hobbies can bring you joy
"Hobbies, by definition, are activities that evoke pleasure, so it makes sense that individuals who are inherently drawn to knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc., would experience improvements in their mood when engaging in these activities," Ho says. But even if you haven't tried knitting before or are tackling a new and more involved recipe, the novelty of something new can come with a big dopamine hit—which can help you feel good.
They can help calm you down
Ho points out that activities like these can help people unwind, especially after a difficult or stressful day. "Working and creating with their hands brings a sense of calm. It helps divert ruminative and internally focused energy that we often see in anxiety, depression, or burnout."
These hobbies can become meditative
The repetitive nature of many of the grandmacore hobbies—embroidery, knitting, and kneading dough, for instance—can help you slow your breath and find your balance. "The repetitive movements and present moment awareness mimic mindfulness meditation in a lot of ways, which may explain why they could help improve mood and mental health," Ho says.
How to Choose the Cozy Hobbies That'll Bring You the Most Joy
If you're looking to add a few of these activities to your self-care routines, it can be tricky to figure out which ones to choose. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Decide what you're hoping to get out of it
Different hobbies provide different benefits, Ho says. "Hobbies that help you connect with nature, promote social interactions with others, provide an outlet for creativity, offer skill learning, result in a tangible product, and where accomplishment scales with effort, are all good places to start."
Consider your own talents
If you're all thumbs, you might get more frustrated than fulfilled with trying a complicated embroidery pattern—so perhaps something that's a little less exacting, like gardening, would be a better choice.
Don't neglect your other self-care needs
While granny hobbies can definitely help you chill out, you can't neglect the other ingredients for good mental health. "I would recommend staying physically healthy and active," says Ho. "That means getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in daily movement and regular exercise."
Dated April, 2025! Sorry!
First of all, this struck me as HILARIOUS as all of these ‘skills’ were what KEPT US ALIVE back in the day!
And now, it’s ‘trendy’ and ‘good for our mental health.’
Oh, You Kids! ;)
Not into any of the above...I like watching other people cook/bake on shows though.One thing I do want to re-set back to my childhood days, is the art of READING (not on Kindle) but real books.
Hillary should pay attention here.
Bingo. Think of all the things that kept us alive or entertained prior to constant TV, social media,, streaming games, and freerepublic.... Sewing. Knitting. Baking. Cooking. Gardening. Backyard chickens. All needed to just survive. And when the chores were done people played music at home or the pub. I remember growing up and when we visited my grandparents everyone had an instrument or sang around the piano with the fire going. Now.... “What’s on Netflix.”
I do however, have several young students learning music along with my several retired seasoned citizen students who are picking up an instrument again. (Mostly Irish Session type music).
Handloading
Only a real pointy-headed guy could ruin the simple pleasures: “Hobbies that help you connect with nature, promote social interactions with others, provide an outlet for creativity, offer skill learning, result in a tangible product, and where accomplishment scales with effort, are all good places to start.”
I guess there is a different perspective when people *have* to do these things. But I would think that, outside of the relaxation and “mental health” part, there is also the satisfaction that comes from unplugging from technology and being creative and making something useful and looking at it and saying, “I did this.” I have had many a day at various jobs, and in life in general, when I have wondered what exactly I had accomplished those days outside of spinning my wheels.
Where there was nothing useful now there is something. A scarf, cookies, a picture. And of course you never can beat the feeling of looking at a well laid cement floor and saying "I did that. And it is good." :)
Sure you can buy one, probably for cheaper then you made it. But that will not give you the pleased feeling that you will get when you look at what you made yourself. The world is a bit better. And it is because of something you did.
Now go wash the dishes. It will give you a similar hit.
Hobbies?Women have always done this while we guys fix stuff and build stuff and nap...we need our naps.
None of them connect you with the internet or electronics.
You UNPLUG and slow down.
LOL! We should suggest that to the author of this piece! ;)
Mr mm and I were out in the woods today harvesting some trees for firewood to heat with.
Nothing like getting out in nature and getting some good exercise to wear you out. And we save money by not having to buy it.
“Now go wash the dishes. It will give you a similar hit.”
Washing dishes is my ‘Zen Time’ after supper - or whenever during the day if I’ve been baking or canning. I never leave a mess.
And the kitchen is always scrubbed and buttoned up for morning. It’s my Command Center! My Laboratory! My reason for being! ;)
We do jigsaw puzzles, 1000 pieces or more.................
My “Granny hobby” is birdwatching. Has been since I was a young man in the military where I spent lots of hours on sentry duty in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do. I introduced it to Mrs. fidelis and the kids. It’s a good way to spend time outside, sharpen awareness of your surroundings and your observation skills, and get to visit a lot of other places. It can be done singly or with others. I’m also a bird photographer, but that is a little bit of a more solitary occupation, but it’s very rewarding. Plus you can bring make memories of what you see.
Wittle while I work and
Walk the Dog.
I call him King Tut for
The little pyramids
He leaves.
When he got out of the Cryo-Penitentiary Sergeant John Spartan just wanted to knit.
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