Online teaching can be deeply rewarding, but it often means spending hours in front of a screen. Without breaks and creative outlets, it’s easy to feel drained, stressed, or disconnected from life outside your virtual classroom. That’s where hobbies come in.

Hobbies aren’t just a fun way to pass the time, they’re essential for work-life balance, mental health, and creativity. Depending on the hobby, they can also improve your physical fitness and help you build new social connections. When you discover a hobby you truly enjoy, it gives you a chance to destress and you have something to look forward to after a day of teaching (or even between classes).

If you’re an online teacher looking for ways to recharge your mind and body, here are six hobbies worth considering. Start with just one, try it for a couple of months, and add more as your energy and schedule allow.

1) Reading

Reading can transport you to different realms, expand your knowledge, and reduce stress by giving your mind a healthy release. Studies have found that consistent reading helps improve focus, stimulates creativity, and offers a calm way to unwind after a busy day.

If you haven’t read a book in a while, start with something that excites you, whether it’s fantasy for the imagination, non-fiction for diving into history or someone’s life, or personal development for growth. Begin with just 10-15 minutes before bed, and you’ll often find that once you dive into a good book, it’s hard to put down. Libraries and e-readers like Kindle or Kobo make it easy to access thousands of books for free, so you’re never short on options.

2) Crochet

Crochet has become a popular hobby worldwide, especially for people looking to balance out work stress with something creative and calming. The repetitive movements are meditative and therapeutic, and as you stitch, you can listen to music, enjoy a podcast, or even watch TV. Bit by bit, your effort turns into a scarf, a stuffed animal, or another project you’ll feel proud to keep or gift.

Getting started is quite simple. All you need is a crochet hook, some yarn, and a beginner-friendly pattern. Youtube is full of tutorials to guide you from the basics to more advanced techniques, so with just a little practice, you’ll quickly be on your way to making unique handmade creations.

3) Needlework (Embroidery & Cross-Stitch)

Needlework is a calming, mindful hobby that blends creativity with patience. Following patterns can feel like solving a puzzle with thread, and the process helps reduce stress, sharpen fine motor skills, and gives you the satisfaction of creating beautiful, personalized pieces.

All you need to begin is a beginner’s kit that includes fabric, needles, and thread. Free tutorials online can guide you through the basics, and if you’re brand new, cross-stitch is a great place to start. It’s more structured than embroidery and usually comes with a clear pattern to follow, making it beginner-friendly and rewarding right from the start.

4) Drawing (Pencil or Digital)

Remember doodling on homework or scraps of paper as a kid? Drawing is a hobby that brings that same playful creativity back into your life. You don’t need to be an artist or create masterpieces. Sketching is simply a relaxing way to reduce stress and express yourself in a different manner.

Grab a sketchpad (or sheets of paper) and pencils, or download a free drawing app on your tablet. If you want some guidance, beginner tutorials on YouTube can walk you through simple drawing techniques. Focus less on the finished product and more on the process. You may be surprised at what flows onto the page once you let yourself loose

5) Hiking

Fresh air, movement, and nature make a great combination to alleviate stress and boost both physical and mental health. Hiking is a perfect counterbalance to the sedentary lifestyle that often comes with online teaching, giving you a chance to clear your mind while staying active.

You don’t need to start with long treks. Short local trails or even walks around the park are enough to ease into the habit. As you build stamina, you can explore longer routes. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring some water, and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

6) Gardening

Growing your own food or watching an entire plant emerge from a seed can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Gardening encourages movement, improves mental health, and gives you the satisfaction of nurturing something into bloom. Plus, you get to enjoy the results, whether that’s colorful flowers, fresh herbs, or homegrown vegetables.

You don’t need a big yard to start. A few pots around your home or on a balcony are enough to grow herbs or small plants. If you have outdoor space, you can experiment with different species, and if not, many communities offer shared garden plots where you can dig in and connect with fellow gardeners.

Do you already practice any of these hobbies? Stay tuned for next week’s article as we’ll explore six more hobbies for online teachers to try!