Has anyone told you to find a hobby when you shared a list of complaints with them about life or health struggles? As it turns out, their advice may have been spot on. You see, positive hobbies like gardening, reading, taking a class to learn something new, social dancing or working out at the gym promote better mental and physical health. Here’s a list of just a few benefits hobbies have on your health:

1. Satisfaction. Whether it’s achieving a new skill or getting a chance to socialize with people who share the same interest, hobbies are a cure for restlessness.
2. Social support. If your hobby includes a social aspect like a game group or book club, you’re spending consistent time with the same small group of people which helps build relationships and offers new avenues of support from peers.
3. Opportunity to take a break from daily routines.
4. Adds balance to the hectics of daily living.
5. Promotes positive stress, which is stress that challenges us to improve or keep going.
6. Calms anxiety and creates a sense of wellness. We often consider our hobbies our happy spaces because they are meant to promote happiness and peace in our lives.
7. Physical hobbies like dancing, hiking, yoga, and gardening are also forms of exercise that promote better overall health.

The great thing about a hobby is that it’s completely centered around your personal interests so if you’re not sure how to get started, make a list of things that interest you and only you. It’s great to have hobbies that involve your family or spouse but it’s also important to have one that’s completely focused on what you enjoy. Do you enjoy reading or creative writing? Join a book club or set aside time each week to write. Hungry to learn something new? Learn a new language or sign up for a guitar class or ballroom dancing classes.

 

Need a little more guidance on how to get started with a new hobby? Stay tuned for our next blog for a list of healthy hobbies and ways to get involved in social hobbies in our community.