I have a dog that we go on walks with and both he and the cat do tend to calm my nerves and stress. Walking/jogging seems to be the best suggestion thus far because it gets me healthy and reduces stress. It’s the time commitment (and waking up way too early) that keeps me from starting it.
I already consider reading to be a hobby and have an extensive library. That also requires a time commitment and usually when I get around to reading, I’m getting ready for bed.
Photography sounds very cool, as does cooking (since I have to eat every day).
My wife actually does woodworking, meaning she has the tools and cuts wood to build things. I’m amazed at her skill level (I think it’s genetic) but think I would get too frustrated.
While out walking, you can incorporate Geocacheing, Photography, and Birding in any combination.
While out Kayaking or Canoeing, you can fish, cache, or photograph while there.
Motorcycling can get you to everything, but it’s tough to tote your kayak.
We also enjoy target shooting and skeet/sporting clays as well.
I enjoy all of these with my kids, but my number one time-taker is Amateur Radio.
At its most basic, you can converse with family and make friends in the area through local clubs and repeaters. I promise you there are both near you.
Or, as stated above, even a modest $80 wire antenna will let you chat with folks around the country and around the world.
I have joined my local ARESgroup that works closely with our county EMA, and we provide logistical and emergency communication support for the county when stuff hits the fan. Runaway Bride in GA ring a bell? We set up communications and led the search for her bug-eyed butt.
Remember to ask for a raise for all this, and good luck.
Wow, reading about all these different hobbies is great, I’m getting lots of ideas. Especially kayaking, I remember the one time I went out on a lake was awesome.
My biggest hobby right now hasn’t been mentioned yet, kettlebells. It is the simplest and most elegant workout I have ever tried, as well as the most brutal and rewarding. Nothing else has been as good for my mental and physical well being, and being RKC certified is one of my long (looong) term goals.
My second recently acquired hobby is growing; I love growing plants, and by extension I got into worm composting and bokashi. Maintaining the intricate soil food web and watching your grow explode without a drop of chemical ferts is priceless.
Hydroponic gardening, much faster than dirt, and better tasting produce as well, you can buy ready-to-go rigs (Aerogrow’s Aerogarden, the Aerofalls unit, the Prepara units) where all you have to do is plug them in, fill with water, drop in the fertilizer tabs, and wait, or you can build your own homemade unit, all you need is a watertight container and lid with holes cut for the media baslets (Sterlite tote) media baskets, seeds, water, an air pump and airstone, and some form of light, could be as simple and free as sunlight, or it could be a high tech flourescent setup
generally speaking, a properly setup hydro rig is approxamitely twice as fast as growing in dirt (tomato seeds generally sprout in 4 days or so in a hydro rig)