Hobbies and Mental Well Being

What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time? What do you do other than your job? These are some common questions asked quite often. But have you ever wondered why these questions are so frequently asked? Why is having a hobby so important in our lives? What role does a hobby play in our physical and mental well-being? To know this let’s first find out what hobbies really mean? 

‘A hobby is considered as an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure”

Some popular hobbies that many people have are reading, DIY like arts and crafts, baking, painting ,  gardening, writing, embroidery, knitting, sports, travelling and the list goes on.

So, now that you know what a hobby means, I am sure you all have one or more hobbies. Lucky are the ones who have the opportunity and resources to carry out their hobbies, who have the time and money to afford to do what they love to do.

Let’s now see why hobbies are important, how they are good for us and how they bring positivity into our lives.

If you observe people, you will notice  that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, mood swings and depression. Activities that occupy your mind and keep you busy can make you feel happier and more relaxed.  Hobbies bring a sense of fun and freedom to life that can help to minimize the impact of chronic stress.  Fun diversions contribute to good health.  Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health & well-being . Hobby sets off your brain’s pleasure sensors, releasing chemicals that make you feel happy .

 Hobbies help us relieve stress that we get from work.  But what if our hobby becomes our work.  What if the hobby is turned into our career? What if your hobby becomes your source of income? Oh wow! Can you imagine how satisfying that could be? how exciting and a sense of relief and freedom. Like it or not money is needed for our basic needs as well as for any luxury that we dream of, if these needs are met by working on something that you enjoy, then I would say you are in a state of fulfillment, where you are utilizing your skills and talents at their best and are being paid for it for something that you love.

With proper guidance, many of us can change our hobbies into our professions. Wouldn’t it be great if we could earn a living doing the things we love doing the most? Loving what you do will also increase your productivity.

TIPS FOR TURNING HOBBY INTO A CAREER

If you are thinking of turning your hobby into a career, here are some tips that could help you:

Teach others: If you are good at cooking, interior designing, henna tattoo designs, hairstyling, baking, sketching, drawing, whatever-you can turn your skills into a job by passing on your knowledge to others.

Sell Your Creation: If your hobby is making some sort of crafts, artwork, designing, embroidery, or even baking, why not sell your creation?

Provide a Service: You can also use your hobby to assist others. If you are good at playing badminton or table tennis for example, then you can start up a business as a personal trainer or coach.

Write/Speak About Your Passion: If you are passionate about something then say it out loud! Share your knowledge and passion with others. Speak about it whenever and wherever you get a chance. Increase in blogging platforms has made this easier.

Embracing a hobby can also sharpen your ability to solve problems in other areas of life.

EFFECTS OF HOBBIES ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Different hobbies have different effects on your mental health for example:

Reading: Improves your vocabulary and your mind reduces stress.

Crafting: Eases stress, anxiety and depression and increases happiness.

Playing An Instrument: Improves fine motor skills, elevates mood.

Cooking: Helps in starting a healthier lifestyle through better nutrition, you can enjoy new recipes with your family and friends, hence encourage bonding with them.

Writing: Putting your thoughts into words, expressing yourself through poetry or jotting down your experiences will give you a sense of freedom as your thoughts will no longer be locked in your mind.

To wrap it up, my experience tells me that whatever your hobby is, it will give you confidence, satisfaction and improve your mental health. Continue doing what you love doing and  use your hobbies to live a more satisfied and happier life.