Photo: Pixabay
Survey reveals the top 10 lockdown hobbies taken up by women in SA
A survey carried out in the UK also revealed that half of British women took up a new hobby since the pandemic began,.
Photo: Pixabay
When the outside world is a no-go zone, South African women who have FOGO (Fear of Going Out) make a plan to keep themselves occupied and boredom at bay.
Taking up a hobby in lockdown
In fact, according to recent research conducted in South Africa, 100% of the women surveyed took up a new hobby over the COVID-19 lockdown period and half of these women now practice this hobby every day.
And it’s not just South African women who are learning new skills. In the UK, a survey carried out by the country’s leading independent online florist Serenata Flowers, revealed that half of British women took up a new hobby since the pandemic began, with 67% practising it at least once a week.
According to Seugnette van Wyngaard, head of 1st for Women: “In the survey, participants listed their newly acquired skill. While the majority are busying themselves with arts and crafts, cooking, gardening and reading, others have taken up hobbies including learning British Sign Language, agility dog training, bobbin lace making and livestock photography.”
Similar to what was observed in the UK survey, South African women found that there are major mental health benefits in learning a new skill. Half of the respondents said it makes them happy and 22% said it reduced stress. 65% of the women surveyed said their hobby made them feel more productive during this uncertain time.
“Experts agree that a hobby can keep you mentally fit, stress-free and confident. When you are focused and invested on a task, you forget your fears and worries and are able to re-establish control. All important factors during these times,” says van Wyngaard.
According to the survey, these are SA’s women’s top 10 lockdown hobbies:
- Arts & Crafts
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Reading
- Baking
- Knitting/Crocheting
- Running/Jogging
- Meditation
- Walking
- Writing
Popular items purchased online in 2020
2020 Offered us something a little different last year given the crisis that is COVID-19 with fashionistas ditching their heels, mega coiffed hair and cinched in bodysuits for more comfortable loungewear to make for easier work from home. Local e-tailers, therefore, took a deep dive into their online purchased statistics to see how 2020’s most popular items grew this Christmas period versus December 2019. Tops proved to be high on the fashion agenda coming in at 28% in sales with a preference for comfy t-shirts versus blouses and shirts. This was followed closely behind by shoes which made up 22% of the December online purchases. Swimwear was also bagged in abundance.
