{
  "id": 25993,
  "title": "Hobbies can improve your health – here are four tips for choosing one",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/hobbies-can-improve-your-health-here-are-four-tips-for-choosing-one",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-07-31T16:00:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Health",
    "slug": "guardian-health",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jul/31/hobbies-can-improve-your-health"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2020, Amanda faced a severe mental health crisis after losing her mother, husband, job, and normalcy. Diagnosed with major depressive disorder, her life spiraled downwards. Alongside an antidepressant prescription, Amanda received a \"social prescription\" - a non-medical activity referral aimed at improving her mental health. Living near Devon, England, she became intrigued by sea swimming, a hobby praised for its health benefits. Sharing this with her mental health nurse, Amanda was prescribed a spot in Chill Therapy, an eight-week course teaching swimming, floating, and breathing techniques.",
  "summary": "From sea swimming to painting, doctors are ‘prescribing’ hobbies – but you don’t need a doctor’s note to get started In 2020, the year Amanda lost her mother, husband, job and pre-pandemic normalcy, she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. “My life was just spiraling down and down and down,” she says. To help with her symptoms, in addition to an antidepressant prescription, Amanda was…",
  "key_points": [
    "Amanda experienced severe mental health crisis in 2020.",
    "Social prescription led her to sea swimming hobby.",
    "Chill Therapy course taught swimming, floating, and breathing techniques."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}