When it comes to your health, you already know how important it is to eat well and stay active. But other hobbies and lifestyle changes—that have nothing to do with diet or exercise—can also offer a big payoff for your wellbeing. Try incorporating a few of these activities into your routine to benefit from reduced stress levels, lesser risk of certain diseases, lower blood pressure, and much more.

Everyday activities that boost your health

Gardening

Growing your own fruits, veggies, and herbs does more than provide fresh bounty for the dinner table. Studies have shown that gardening is better than other leisure activities for fighting stress. It might improve depression symptoms, too, since the sights and smells of a garden promote relaxation.

Research also suggests that gardening can lower your risk of developing dementia. In two different studies, people in their 60s and 70s who regularly gardened had a 36% and 47% lower risk of developing dementia than non-gardeners did.

You shouldn’t discount the physical activity gardening entails, either: According to a 2013 study in the American Journal of Health Promotion, short stretches of moderate “lifestyle” activities such as gardening can be just as beneficial as a trip to the gym.

Meditation

Meditation has become increasingly popular in the West since the 1960s. 

There’s a reason why meditation has been around for thousands of years. The ancient practice has been linked to a slew of health benefits, including improved digestion, lowered blood pressure, reduced stress-induced inflammation, and the release of mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.

Meditation can also help ease pain. In a recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers concluded that meditation could alleviate pain intensity by 27% and emotional pain by 44%. Shockingly, that’s more than the opioid morphine, which reduces physical pain by 22%.

Traveling

Let this be the push you needed to book that trip abroad: Taking time off from work (yes, that means not checking your email) can reduce your risk of heart attack and depression. Playing drift boss can also be a great exercise for your brain. According to a 2010 study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, engaging in leisure activities such as time off and travel can lower blood pressure and stress hormones.

Planning to visit one of the great wonders of the world? Even better. Recent research suggests that people who regularly experience feelings of awe might have reduced risk of getting heart disease or cancer.