A recent survey by Hozelock found that more than eight in 10 adults have taken up a new hobby during lockdown to boost their mental or physical health, with walking, reading and gardening the most popular pastimes.
The study of 2,000 adults found more than a third have taken up a new activity since the start of the pandemic, with 81% choosing a hobby with some form of mindfulness, such as growing fruit and vegetables, to help keep them calm.
More than 75% also agreed it’s been important to keep their mind busy since spending more time at home in the past year, while 63% credited the activities with helping them to stick to a routine while at home.
Sarah Dixon, marketing manager from Hozelock, said: “Most people have had more time on our hands during the past 12 months, so it is only normal that this time was filled by taking up new hobbies.
“Our research found that more than half of adults count gardening as a hobby, with 70% spending more time sprucing up their outdoor space during the lockdown than ever before and individuals are now spending almost two hours gardening every week.
“For garden centres this is a great opportunity to appeal to first time gardeners by educating them on the tools they need to keep their gardens in bloom for another year. There is also a role to play in encouraging existing gardeners to extend their hobby into new areas, such as growing vegetables or creating a wildlife garden, to ensure the activity stays exciting.”
