Hobbies Are Healthy

Do you have a favorite hobby? If not, you need to find one. Research has found that having a hobby has positive effects on your life, both physically and emotionally. If we take time to enjoy our life, it can actually prolong it.

10 Reasons to Enjoy a Hobby

• 1) Reduces stress – Doing something you enjoy is a great way to release anxiety and worry that you might be holding in. Our bodies are under constant pressure to perform, and taking time out for ourselves is one way to reward them. An example might be reading before bed to help you relax or going for a run in the morning to energize for the day.
• 2) Make new friends – Enlarge your social circle. Chances are you aren’t the only one that enjoys your hobby. Find others that share your interests and spend time together. There are online groups you can join to share ideas, or even use the Pinterest app to make connections. If you enjoy real world contact, then do something like join a gym or take a class at the community college.
• 3) People will find you even more interesting – You already have friends and family that love you! Why not develop a new talent to share with them? It’s always nice to see someone excited and eager to engage in conversation or activity.
• 4) Might lead to new opportunities – So many possibilities with this one. You could be offered a new job, asked out on a date, or given a chance to travel. Many profitable careers have started as a simple hobby.
• 5) Take a break for your mind and body – We live in a world of constant motion. It never seems as if there are enough hours in the day. We often feel like there is no time for the “extra” stuff. However, it is essential that we take breaks from all the chaos. Plan even just a few minutes a day devoted to your hobby. Read, crochet, run, cook, or whatever else you might enjoy.
• 6) FUN!!! – This is your “ME” time!! It’s all about you and what you want to do. It gives you something to look forward to and can be an incentive to get through the day.
• 7) Increase self-esteem with hobby accomplishments – Share your hobby with everyone around you (only if you wish to). Show them the things you have learned or better yet, the things you made. You could even be given an award. Go ahead – enter that quilt in the county fair or enter that photo in the city contest!!
• 8) Learn and experience new things – For me it’s always been exciting to try something new. It might be something I am really good at, or something I am not. There’s the old saying that you never know until you try. For example, I have always watched my grandma and others sew and make quilts. I had an awful experience in home ec, so it didn’t interest me. A couple years back I opened myself up to the idea and took a couple of lessons. Now I LOVE doing it, and realize how much I can still learn!! I enjoy honing my craft and get great joy when I can gift my creations.
• 9) Stimulates your brain with creativity – Our brains need to be active to stay sharp. Sitting in front of the tv or computer does not provide any positive effect on us. In fact, it can be very detrimental. We need to get up, move around, and challenge our minds. It’s no secret that if you don’t use it, you lose it. When I was teaching, we had a program where seniors came in and read to or with our students. Things like that and doing crosswords, crocheting, playing music, and the like, keep their brain stimulated. It’s important at that age and at any age.
• 10) Something in common with other people in your life (spouse, parent, child, friend, coworker) – Sharing a hobby is a great way to strengthen relationships. I love to go fishing with my husband, and he sometimes assists me with sewing or other crafting projects. My children also enjoy fishing with him. My mom enjoys quilting, so I am learning more from her. Both of my kids play soccer, so even though I never enjoyed watching it before, I have acquired a new love and respect for the game. My daughter is very artistic, so I have spent time at the art museum and taking her to art classes. Quality time together creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Have I convinced you yet? Find something that you are interested in and give it a chance!! Have a hobby you haven’t given any thought to for a while? Pick it back up, and even find someone to share it with. Your kids spend too much time in front of screens? Introduce them to a variety of hobbies and find one that develops their strengths. It will take an initial investment of time, and possibly a bit of money, but the dividends are priceless!