PEOPLE with geeky hobbies such as building model railways or collecting figurines are much happier, a survey found.
Gentle pastimes were linked to better mental health, with an overall greater life satisfaction.
Four in ten Brits have at least one current hobby, with people dabbling in an average of five.
Model maker Hornby found 42 per cent of all hobbyists had good life satisfaction, compared to 34 per cent without a regular pastime.
Satisfaction increased to 46 per cent for those who got mates involved and 53 per cent if their partner had the same hobby.
Researchers reckon enthusiasts, like musicians Jools Holland and Rod Stewart, are 85 per cent happier than those without hobbies.
The celebrities, aged 66 and 79 respectively, have an interest in model trains.
Other pastimes in Hornby’s poll included being outdoors and playing sports.
These were the most popular, with 30 to 40 per cent of Brits spending their free time on them.
Some 22 per cent enjoy arty activities, like model making.
And more than two fifths said interests like model aeroplanes or fantasy role-playing board games had become more socially acceptable.
Hornby said in its report: “We have always been a nation of hobbyists, from Churchill and his passion for painting, Queen Victoria and her tiny wooden dolls, to Tom Daley’s knitting.
“We believe that hobbies can be a force for good.”
Research has shown that keeping the mind engaged with hobbies reduces the potential risks of cognitive decline and dementia.
Good mental health can also protect against serious physical illness like diabetes and heart diseases.
The Hornby research questioned 2,000 Brits about their pastimes.
CEO Olly Raeburn said: “The benefits of having a hobby cannot be overstated.
“Our research underscores how hobbies contribute to mental wellbeing, happiness and social connectivity.”
