In this article I will share 7 reasons why you should have a hobby. One of the major disadvantages we have as part of living in the twenty first century, is the hectic tempo of life. Sometimes it feels like my days are too short and there are not nearly enough hours in the day to finish what I had planned.
Often, we lose ourselves in the never-ending cycle of trying to balance work and home life. Having a hobby or hobbies can remind you of the choices you have made and give you the opportunity to relax and do something you love.
7 Reasons why you should have a hobby
Hobbies can offer some much-needed stress relief
When you feel anxious or overwhelmed, a hobby can act as a great distraction and help you to unwind and relax. Reading a captivating book can help you escape from reality for an hour or two and take you to an entirely new world …. or universe even!
I find that watching a funny movie helps me to relax. Laughter makes you forget about your daily stresses and did you know it can actually impact your health in a positive way? There are numerous health benefits linked to having a good laugh.
The great thing about hobbies is that there are so many to choose from. There are hundreds of new things you can try. From photography and making jewellery, to trying your hand at new culinary delights, or writing your first e-book. You don’t even have to be particularly good at it, as long as it brings you joy.
You can meet new people through the hobbies you engage in. It is always rewarding meeting people that share the same interests as you. Sometimes you meet new lifelong friends that you probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.
It teaches you to face challenges head on
There are certain hobbies which will take time, patience, and practice to learn. For instance, learning how to crochet a stunning blanket with intricate designs can take a while to master.
Or taking up guitar lessons, it might take you weeks or months to learn the notes to play your favorite song. Nothing beats the feeling of learning something new and looking at the masterpiece you’ve just created on your own or achieving a goal that you’ve set for yourself.
Hobbies lead to personal growth
Hobbies can be the ideal opportunity to look with fresh eyes at new possibilities. You can learn to better understand the viewpoint of others too. So many personal attributes can be learned through reading, for instance. You can learn how to have empathy for others. There are many life lessons to be learned through trying new things and discovering new worlds with people from all walks of life.
Hobbies can help with boosting your self-confidence
Nothing gives you more satisfaction than trying something new and discovering that you are pretty good at it. Being good at something can boost your self confidence and give you the courage to try other things that are less familiar.
Hobbies can enhance productivity
When you’re keeping yourself busy with a hobby, you are not wasting time by just sitting in front of the television for hours on end, or allowing boredom to take over. Instead, you’re focusing on new ideas and exploring things that ordinarily you would never have given a chance. You can develop new interests, learn valuable new skills and improve your knowledge, while having fun at the same time.
You can gain personal enrichment
When you’re having a conversation with people and they ask what you enjoy doing in your free time, it gives you a chance to talk about your hobbies. And asking them about their hobbies can in turn add to the conversation by finding out if you have anything in common, or even learning about something new. Sharing your experiences and interests with others can give you insight into the type of person they are and vice versa. They can become more vested in you as an individual and you in them.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several reasons why you should have a hobby. Exploring new avenues and discovering interests which bring you joy can only be good for your self esteem and overall wellbeing.
Have you started a new hobby recently? Please feel free to share your thoughts and tell me about any new exciting hobbies which may have enriched your life further. Or maybe you’ve rediscovered an old hobby which has brought some new found joy?
Much love, light and positive vibes,
Anthea