Somewhere along the way, we stopped having hobbies… and honestly, it’s making us depressed. Between burnout, money-making, doom-scrolling, and constantly trying to be “productive,” most people don’t do anything just for joy anymore. We’re disconnected from ourselves, our creativity, and from each other.

It’s time to rekindle our sense of play and curiosity. So in today’s episode, we’re breaking down why hobbies are essential for your happiness, confidence, and emotional well-being, and how finding a hobby you love can reduce loneliness, boost your mood, increase creativity, and bring FUN back into your life. Because your whole personality shouldn’t be work and TikTok.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, bored, or stuck in autopilot, tune in to learn how hobbies can help energize you and break up the monotony of adulthood.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why adults have lost the joy of hobbies
• The science: how hobbies act as a natural antidepressant and reduce anxiety, burnout & loneliness
• Why hobbies boost self-esteem and confidence
• The link between popular hobbies and nervous system regulation
• Why “wasting time” is actually good for your brain
• How to choose a hobby based on what you loved as a kid
• The ultimate list of hobbies for every style of activity
• The difference between Type 1 fun vs. Type 2 fun
• How hobbies help you connect with friends & build community

Hobby Ideas Mentioned in This Episode:

• Tennis, pickleball, hiking, gardening, rock climbing, weightlifting, walking clubs, horseback riding, volunteering with animals.
• Pottery, calligraphy, painting/drawing, photography, crocheting, collaging, baking, singing and choirs, learning an instrument.
• Cold plunging, meditation, yoga, reading + book clubs, puzzles, Mahjong, chess, learning a new language, deep-diving a niche interest for fun.

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Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from one of our guests that you might have missed.

Flu season is upon us, so we're throwing it back to this helpful advice from Abbey Sharp on boosting your metabolism, and restoring your gut health after dysbiosis from antibiotics.

Did you know 70% of our immune system is housed in our gut? We cover the surprising link between your gut microbiome and your immune system, mental health, skin, hormones, and more, and why fibre is the unsung hero of gut health and immunity.

Abbey is a Registered Dietitian (RD), a cookbook author, a TV nutrition expert, a YouTuber, host of the podcast Bite Back, and the founder of Abbey’s Kitchen. She dismantles diet culture with science and sass, and her core philosophy is that a pleasurable relationship with food, your body and your self is the fundamental secret to good health.

Listen to our full episode with Abbey.

Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes.

Follow Abbey:

Abbey's Kitchen

Abbey's Podcast: Bite Back

On IG: @abbeyskitchen/

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@teachmehowtoadultmedia

@gillian.berner

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Good listening is an underrated superpower… it makes you more magnetic, trustworthy, liked, and connected.

Most people think they’re good listeners — but the truth is, a lot of us are just out here waiting for our turn to talk. So in today’s episode, we’re breaking down 8 key steps to become a better listener, so you can improve your communication skills, strengthen your relationships, and make people actually feel heard.

It’s like that Maya Angelou quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” And a huge part of how we make people feel is based on how we listen to them.

Want to transform the way you connect? Learn how to master active listening, build trust, lead with curiosity, and become the person everyone feels safe opening up to.

Tune in to hear more about:

• How to master active listening and emotional attunement
• The #1 thing people actually mean when they say they “don’t feel heard”
• Why deep listening makes you more attractive, trustworthy, and influential
• How to listen with sincerity instead of “performing” empathy
• Removing distractions and meeting people where they are in a convo
• The art of a good follow-up
• Why questions and curiosity are the key to deeper connection
• Nonverbal cues to show that you’re listening
• Eye contact 101
• Why nonverbal cues can be challenging for neurodivergent people
• The surprising way of interacting that makes people open up more

Whether you want to communicate better at work, deepen intimacy with your partner, or just sharpen your conversational skills, I hope this helps you unlock the gift of deep listening.

For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.

Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:

teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter

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@teachmehowtoadultmedia

@gillian.berner

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