From crafting to coin collecting, hobbies can be a relaxing yet exciting escape for many people. With Mental Health Awareness Month approaching in May, hobbies can also be a great way to prioritize self-care and wellness which can often fall by the wayside in our modern, fast-paced world.
Along with bringing joy into our lives, hobbies can also have positive health benefits many may not be aware of. One study, published by the National Library of Medicine, found that a lower risk for dementia was associated with higher participation and engagement with hobbies. With dementia rates projected to continue rising, time spent on a weekly hobby might be a great way for patrons to lower their risk of developing dementia in the future.
Aside from the link between dementia prevention and hobbies, hobbies also have a positive impact on decreasing stress. In fact, according to the Utah State University, one study showed that approximately 75% of participants’ cortisol levels (one of the most widely studied hormonal markers of stress) were lowered after making art. A different study noted by Women’s Health Magazine found that hobbies are linked with 30% lower odds of experiencing depression.
While prioritizing mental wellness is always important, it becomes even more when understanding how instances of depression have changed over the past 8 years. The Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health conducted a study which found that almost one in five adolescents and young adults, as well as one in ten adults, have experienced past 12-month depression. Published online in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, this same study from Columbia University confirms instances of depression increasing nationally from 2015- 2019.
The rising of these rates was already alarming between 2015-2019 and yet, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to even more occurrences of depression. With these statistics in mind, outlets for self-care and self-prioritization have become even more important for maintaining a healthy mindset. However, it can often be difficult to know where to begin or where to find new resources to keep yourself engaged in activities that bring you joy.
As libraries continue to adapt to a new tech-heavy world, patrons might not know about the digital resources that may be available to them through their local library. One of these convenient resources is digital magazines. Unlike static books, new issues of digital magazines are updated with the latest information so that patrons can stay engaged with their hobby consistently. Easily accessible on most devices, digital magazines can be accessed on the go from virtually anywhere. So, if your patrons are working on multiple hobby projects or love using magazines from a variety of sources, they won’t need to lug around a paper stack of magazines.
Whether your patrons found their niche long ago or are simply interested in trying new things, Flipster Digital Magazines from EBSCO has resources to help them learn a new skill or take an old skill to the next level.
Some popular hobby magazines include:
- Cooking & Baking
- Allrecipes
- American Cake Decorating Magazine
- Bake & Decorate
- Bon Appetit
- Delight Gluten-Free
- Food & Wine
- Food Network Magazine
- Gluten-Free Living
- Writing & Poetry
- Event
- The American Poetry Review
- Poetry
- Stone Soup
- Writer
- The New Yorker
- Home Improvement and DIY
- Better Homes & Gardens
- Backyard & Outdoor Living
- Fine Woodworking
- HGTV Magazine
- Home Design
- The Family Handyman
- Wood Magazine
- Woodcraft Magazine
- WoodenBoat
- Woodsmith
- Do It Yourself
- Photography
- Digital Camera World
- N-Photo
- Outdoor Photographer
- Photo Life
- Photography Week
- PhotoPlus
- Practical Photoshop
- ProPhoto & Video
- What Digital Camera
- Crafts
- Creative Beading
- Creative Machine Embroidery
- Crochet World
- Crochet!
- CrossStitcher
- Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting
- Fons & Porter's Quick + Easy Quilts
- Handwoven
- Just CrossStitch
- Knitter
- Love Patchwork & Quilting
- McCall's Quilting
- Modern Patchwork
- Piecework
- Quilter's World
- Quilters Companion
- Quilting Arts Magazine
- Quiltmaker
- Quiltmania
- Sew News
- Simply Crochet
- Simply Knitting
- Simply Sewing
- Threads
- The World of Cross Stitching
- Coloring
- Creative Mindfulness Collection (x4)
- Marjorie Sarnat's Fanciful Fashions
- Marjorie Sarnat's Pampered Pets
- Marty Noble's Mindful Mazes: Art Nouveau Animals
- Marty Noble's Mindful Mazes: Mandalas
- Marty Noble's Peaceful World
- Marty Noble's Sugar Skills
- Games & Toys
- Chess Life
- Casual Game Insider
- Classic Toy Trains
- Classic Trains
- Comics & Gaming Magazine
- Minecraft World
- Model Airplance News
- Model Railroader
- PC Gamers
- PLAY Magazine
- Bird Watching
- Birds & Blooms
- BirdWatching
- Ultimate Guide to Birdwatching
- Music
- Guitar Specials
- Guitar Techniques
- Guitarist
- Living Blues
- Musicworks
- Total Guitar
- Antiques & Art
- Antiques to Vintage
- Art Collector
- COINage
- Homes & Antiques
- Fishing & Hunting
- Deer & Deer Hunting
- Fish Alaska
- Fishing Monthly
- Fur-Fish-Game
- Game & Fish East
- Game & Fish Midwest
- Game & Fish South
- Game & Fish West
- Hunt Alaska
- Michigan Game & Fish
- Texas Fish & Game
In addition to a variety of hobby-related magazines to choose from, Flipster is committed to high accessibility standards so EBSCO can provide a positive reading experience for everyone.
Flipster also recently received the highest platinum distinction from the Modern Library Awards for the sixth year in a row! Created by LibraryWorks and judged by librarians, the MLAs recognize the top products in the library industry. Learn more about why Flipster has been recognized as an invaluable and trusted resource for libraries.
Find Flipster magazines specified for a variety of niches to learn about the latest trends and news from sources dedicated to the hobbies your patrons love. Choose from more than 1,200 digital magazines on a variety of topics or add to your existing collection using EBSCOhost Collection Manager.
