Gardening also reduces fears. Being in touch with nature, it brings people in contact with bugs, spiders, worms, ants and prickly plants. It shows how life is inter-connected. Some bugs are good and some are not. Scary Praying Mantises are good and eat bad grasshoppers. Spiders are good and eat bad flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. Ladybugs are good and eat bad aphids. Worms are good and loosen the soil to hold more water. This observation of nature reduces fears.
Of all of the hobbies, gardening might provide the best over-all health benefits.