Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) Part 1 with Julia Hotz

Crafting. Motorcycle repair. Banjo lessons. Hobbies aren’t a reward, but tools to save your mental and physical health. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure,” — and professional Salugenology expert — Julia Hotz explains the science behind going outside, rediscovering what makes you happy, scheduling time for hobbies if you have no time for hobbies, free support, how quarantine affected mental health, what if social interaction gives you the willies, what if depression keeps you from doing the things that lift depression, the scientific deal with cold-plunging, where to volunteer, saving money by joining knitting circle or fishing club, if protesting is a good hobby, how capitalism can literally kill us, and why she hates the title of her own book.

Listen via Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Podbay, Podcast Addict, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Visit Julia’s website and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack

Buy her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging

A donation went to GrowNYC


Links to things we discussed:

Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature

Legally Blonde - endorphins

Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation

Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making

Pedal Ready courses for older adults in the UK 

Silver Sneakers

Silver Sneakers location search

Cycling Without Age

Cycling Without Age Chapters in the US and other countries

A Warm Welcome to Cycling Without Age USA

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing subject of debate

Short-Term Head-Out Whole-Body Cold-Water Immersion Facilitates Positive Affect and Increases Interaction between Large-Scale Brain Networks

Cold water immersion: Kill or cure?

You're not a polar bear: The plunge into cold water comes with risks

I Go Ice Bath: The Portable Cold Plunge Tub | Inergize Health

Social prescribing and the search for value in health care

Social Prescribing Around the World

Karoshi-Death from overwork: Occupational health consequences of the Japanese production management

Effects of forest environment on health promotion and disease prevention

Connecting through nature: A systematic review of the effectiveness of nature-based social prescribing practices to combat loneliness

Power of Social Interactions and the Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness

Australia’s Ways to Wellness: A social prescription pathway to address social isolation and experiences of loneliness

Report on the 18-month evaluation of social prescribing in Queensland

Social Prescribing USA

Bat-watching, beach explorations and 'sniff' walks: How nature can provide a tonic for loneliness

What are the Benefits of Swimming For Your Mind and Body?


Other episodes you may enjoy:

Dolorology (PAIN)

Eudemonology (HAPPINESS)

Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT)

Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID)

Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE)

Ergopathology (BURNOUT)

Biogerontology (AGING)

Canistrumology (BASKET WEAVING)

Domestic Phytology (HOUSEPLANTS)

Ethnoecology (ETHNOBOTANY/NATIVE PLANTS)

Dendrology (TREES)


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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

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Transcripts by Aveline Malek

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

The BrainAlie Ward