It’s Movie Time! Eh?
As a long-standing supporter of the arts and film community, RBC is committed to nurturing emerging talent and celebrating the arts community. With our partnership with TIFF you can learn about the Canadian film industry and the incredible variety of communities and people across the country, all while being entertained along the way! With the wide array of genres available to watch it is the perfect time to gather with friends or family to host your own movie night to watch a classic or even catch up on the newest blockbuster on your local streaming network.
Host a Game Night
Board games are a great option for a social activity that brings people together around a curated experience. They involve teamwork, healthy competition and fun, and in most cases, provide people with an excuse to disconnect from screens and do something tangible. The popularity of board games continues to rise in Canada, with some estimates stating that over 60% of people play games regularly.1. Some board games, such as Settlers of Catan, have become true global sensations, while others like Monopoly and Candyland are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. From deep strategy to simple task-oriented games, board games can provide the right experience and the right level of challenge to ensure your hobby is fun, social and something you can come back to time and time again.
Make Delicious Meals at Home
While some people may feel that cooking is just another household chore, there is significant research that shows cooking at home is a source of happiness and relaxation.2 And those are just a couple of the benefits! Doing your own cooking is generally healthier, cheaper and more rewarding than either takeout or going to restaurants.3 If you often find yourself ordering in or eating out, challenge yourself to do more home cooking by choosing different cuisines or cooking challenges. Make a meal for under $10, or try a new ingredient you’ve never used before! Then, invite over friends and family to try your new creations.
Breathe in, Breathe out
Meditation is easy to learn and can provide major emotional and physical benefits in just a few minutes a day. It can give you a sense of calm, help you cope with stress, and improve the quality of your sleep.4 It allows you to practice patience and focus, too. Box breathing is a simple breathing technique that allows you to calm your nerves and regain your focus. To learn more, you can watch this video, and then gradually move on to even more-advanced meditation styles and techniques. Make the most of summer and enjoy outdoor meditation, as being surrounded by nature can further enhance the benefits of calm and relaxation.
Start a Garden – Anywhere!
Not everyone has the outdoor space to garden, and that’s just fine. There are plenty of ways to make indoor gardens work and use small outdoor spaces as well! Gardening is calming, helps purify the air and beautifies your home.5 Indoor plants can be quite versatile, requiring different levels of sunlight and water, and can add more personality to your space. Gardening can also help you save money on groceries by using a standing planter box to grow your own veggies and herbs. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more, are all easy to grow and will taste amazing going straight from your garden into salads and other recipes.
No matter what hobby you’re thinking of taking up, the most important thing is that you enjoy yourself and find value in it. As an added bonus, you can turn any hobby into a social event by including friends and family, finding online communities, or finding in-person classes and social groups to share your new interest with. There’s no time like the present – get started today!
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
