Level 1:
During the pandemic, people stayed at home. They felt sad and scared. They couldn’t do things they did before. People found new things to do. These are called hobbies. They made bread and cookies. They grew flowers and vegetables. They learned new languages and drew pictures. Hobbies helped them feel better. They were happy to make something new.
Level 2:
During the pandemic, many people were confined to their homes and experienced feelings of sadness and fear. However, a new trend emerged as individuals sought out enjoyable pastimes: quarantine hobbies. These activities included baking bread and cookies, gardening with lush and bountiful results, learning new languages, and even taking up drawing and painting. Hobbies were a welcome distraction from the difficulties of the pandemic and provided a sense of control and accomplishment. Engaging in these activities had positive effects on mental health by lowering levels of depression, stress, and anxiety, while also improving cognitive functioning and increasing feelings of happiness and well-being.
Full Story:
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, people have found themselves stuck indoors. While many have taken up the usual activities like binge-watching TV shows or reading books, a new trend has emerged: quarantine hobbies.
From baking sourdough bread to painting to learning a new language, people are finding joy in indoor activities that they may not have had time for before. In fact, a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll found that 72% of Americans have picked up a new hobby since the beginning of the pandemic.
One popular hobby that has taken off during quarantine is gardening. With more time spent at home, people are taking advantage of their outdoor spaces and getting their hands dirty. Seed companies have reported record sales, and social media platforms are filled with photos of lush gardens and bountiful harvests.
Another popular hobby is cooking and baking. As restaurants closed and people were forced to cook their own meals, many discovered a newfound love for the culinary arts. Quarantine cooking has become so popular that grocery stores have struggled to keep ingredients like flour and yeast in stock.
But it’s not just traditional hobbies that have seen a surge in interest. People are also turning to unique activities like puzzle-making, calligraphy, and even jigsaw puzzling with thousands of pieces. These hobbies offer a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that can be hard to find during these uncertain times.
So why are people turning to hobbies during quarantine? For one, they offer a way to pass the time and distract from the stress and anxiety of the pandemic. They also provide a sense of control and accomplishment at a time when many aspects of life feel out of our control.
In addition to the personal benefits, some experts believe that hobbies can also have a positive impact on mental health. “Engaging in hobbies has been linked to lower levels of depression, stress, and anxiety,” says Dr. Adam Dorsay, a licensed psychologist. “It can also improve cognitive functioning and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.”
Of course, not everyone has the luxury of taking up a new hobby during quarantine. Essential workers, parents with young children, and those facing financial hardship may not have the time or resources to explore new activities. However, for those who are able to do so, quarantine hobbies offer a welcome distraction from the challenges of these unprecedented times.
As the world slowly reopens, it’s unclear whether the trend of quarantine hobbies will continue. But for now, people are finding joy and **solace **in the simple pleasures of baking bread, tending to gardens, and mastering new skills.
Questions:
What are some popular quarantine hobbies that have emerged during the pandemic?
How do quarantine hobbies impact mental health?
Do you think quarantine hobbies will continue to be popular after the pandemic is over? Why or why not?
How have seed companies been affected by the trend of gardening as a quarantine hobby?
In your opinion, what is the most enjoyable quarantine hobby mentioned in the article?
Fill in the Blanks:
grapples, lush, distraction, emerged, bountiful, culinary, luxury, surge, unprecedented
As the world ________ with the COVID-19 pandemic, people have found themselves stuck indoors.
While many have taken up the usual activities like binge-watching TV shows or reading books, a new trend has ________: quarantine hobbies.
Seed companies have reported record sales, and social media platforms are filled with photos of ________ gardens and ________ harvests.
As restaurants closed and people were forced to cook their own meals, many discovered a newfound love for the ________ arts.
But it’s not just traditional hobbies that have seen a ________ in interest.
”It can also improve cognitive functioning and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.”
Of course, not everyone has the ________ of taking up a new hobby during quarantine.
However, for those who are able to do so, quarantine hobbies offer a welcome ________ from the challenges of these ________ times.
Vocabulary:
Grapples - to struggle with
Emerged - came into existence or notice
Lush - rich and abundant
Bountiful - plentiful; large in quantity
Culinary - related to cooking
Surge - sudden increase or rise
Distraction - something that diverts attention
Unprecedented - never done before
Luxury - a state of great comfort or extravagance
Solace - comfort during a time of distress
