The New Year has arrived. For a lot of us, our resolutions will be trying to find a way to better ourselves, a good way of achieving this is taking up a new hobby. The benefits of having a hobby are many – they can provide a good outlet for stress, help you develop a new skill & can keep you feeling healthy and active.

I’ve come up with a list of what we think are some of the best new hobbies to try out in 2017 with a little help from Function18.

1. Cookery

Some of us are a lot worse in the kitchen than we’d ever like to admit. Sure, you may have mastered that one dish (you’re not beating my chicken vindaloo) but you, and everyone else, are bound to get sick of eating the same thing over and over. Why not apply yourself to improving your cookery skills? With a multitude of cookery books and classes out there, you can add a few more culinary specialties to your repertoire.

2. Learn a new language

Most of us have had to cope with the embarrassment of going to a foreign country and not being able to speak the lingo. Stop all the pointing and slow talking to people who clearly don’t have a clue what you’re talking about and learn their language. With so many different ways to learn a language nowadays, whether it be taking a language course in a college or learning from home using an app on your phone, it’s never been easier.

3. Travelling

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Not just for students on their gap year anymore. With literally the whole world at your disposal to explore, make sure you make the most of your experience: eat the food, mix with the locals and respect the customs. They say travel is good for the soul, find that out for yourself. Make travelling a hobby and go to new places. You don’t have to go abroad to travel, get on a train or a bus and see where it can take you.

4. Golf

Somewhat regarded as a sport for only the retired or professionals, don’t let that fool you! People of any age can (and should) play this game. It’s a difficult sport to master, but thanks to the handicapping system, a seasoned pro can play a rank amateur and keep the game competitive. Just make sure you’re kitted out in the right gear, some Sunderland golf clothing should do the trick. Golf is also a fantastic way to keep fit, so you’ll have a handle on that new year’s resolution of actually staying active this year.

5. Gardening

Most people who tend to their gardens will tell you of the therapeutic effect it can have on you. To add to that, it has been proven that gardening can be the source of a good physical workout, the prolonged light exercise can actually burn more calories than your average gym session!

6. Hiking

Another fantastic source of exercise, hiking can be a great way to keep fit in the New Year. Spot some beautiful vistas on the way up and feel a great sense of achievement when you reach the summit. Find a new location to walk each week or set yourself a hiking challenge!

7. Volunteering

Can’t think of a way to better yourself – why not better the life of someone else instead? With many charities crying out for volunteers, they’ll be ecstatic with whatever time you can donate. You’ll be doing a good deed, keeping busy and there’s plenty of different ways you can participate – whether that be working the tills in a charity shop or something more hands on like mentoring a child, there’ll be something to suit anyone’s wants.