What are your Hobbies?
You know, those things you do in your free time that bring you pleasure. Those things that excite you, where you lose yourself in an activity and get into a flow state. Those things that you actually like doing and might even be fun for you. I hope a long list of activities come to mind. However, if instead you’re thinking any of the following – Who has time for hobbies? Free time? You’re joking! I don’t have enough time to do the things I have to do. Even if I did have time, I’m too exhausted to pick up a hobby. know that you are not alone. Many of us feel the same, or at least we did feel this way, until we became hobby converts.
It’s not surprising so many of us don’t have time for hobbies or even give them a thought. Our culture prioritizes doing, keeping busy, producing, and achieving. Making time for doing things you enjoy is often the first to drop from our schedules. Hobbies are described as activities you do in your “leisure” time. The word leisure may be dated, but I guess many of us don’t think we have much, if any, leisure time. However, the research is clear, those who make time for hobbies are reaping big benefits.
Benefits of Hobbies
In a 2024 Reader’s Digest article, author Charlotte Hilton Andersen does a great job describing why we all should pick up a hobby. It’s a bit of a read but well worth the time. Andersen quotes Scott Kaiser, MD, of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute as saying, “know that your hobbies are not only making you happier – they’re also making you healthier”, and that’s true no matter what hobby you choose. A notable and often cited longitudinal study in Nature Medicine in 2023, reported that participants who had hobbies self-reported better health, increased happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and increased life satisfaction than those who didn’t have hobbies. The study, which included more than 93,000 people age 65+ and from 16 countries, also learned that some hobbies may improve cognitive function and mental well-being, lower risk of chronic diseases, and possibly lower rates of dementia.
What Hobbies Do in the Body
Back to the Readers Digest article, Kien Vuu, MD, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine/Health Sciences at UCLA explains what happens in your body when you engage in hobbies. “Doing an enjoyable hobby releases endorphins, the feel good chemical in the brain, while lowering cortisol, the so-called stress hormone. This then lowers blood pressure, reduces systemic inflammation, improves sleep, boosts the immune system, improves cardiac health and increases energy - which in turn can kick off a whole positive cycle of healthier behaviors.” See how good hobbies are for you?
Pick Up a Hobby, Grow Your Resilience
Activities that lower your stress levels are good things, but further good news is that you can grow your resilience through hobbies as well. Hobbies can improve our brain’s neuroplasticity which is “the ability of the brain’s neural networks to change, adapt, and make new connections” according to Sanam Hefeez, PysD, a neuropsychologist at Columbia University. Dr. Hefeez encourages us in that same Reader’s Digest article, “…you always want to be exercising it (the brain) to keep it strong, and hobbies are a really fun way to do that.”
Other ways hobbies grow your resilience is by having FUN!! This goes beyond mildly enjoying something. I hope your hobbies make you laugh big belly laughs. (Imagine stress rolling off your shoulders as you crack up laughing.) You can also grow your connections through hobbies. By making new friends and growing your network, you open yourself up to new resources, ones you might need to lean on in the future. (Read Fun - It Does a Body and Mind Good) for more information on fun and Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory to learn more.)
Tai Chi Anyone?
For me, my concussion forced me to change how I spent my time (Read My Final Straw Moment). Five months after suffering the concussion, I started taking beginner Tai Chi classes at a local YMCA. (For those Tai Chi aficionados reading, it’s Wu style.) Three months later, I added a second class that is more intermediate level. Eighteen months later, I’m still at it. I really enjoy those two hours per week at class. I enjoy learning something new and moving my body in ways I hadn’t previously. I’ve also met some lovely people. In fact, a community has formed as some of us regularly attend both classes. (I’ll explore the need for and value of community in a future blog.)
Am I good at Tai Chi? Well, I’m slowly getting better. But the point of hobbies is not to focus on the outcome, at least initially. The point of picking up a hobby is to enjoy it without trying to achieve anything.
The Cost of Hobbies
Depending on the hobby you choose, cost might be an issue. A hobby you are excited about trying may be expensive or require a membership or equipment. The cost of starting the hobby may stop one from pursuing a hobby before it’s begun. If that’s true for you, check to see if you truly can’t afford the hobby or if you are putting your wants and needs behind others. If you are busy making sure your kids’ and/or parents’ needs and wants are being met (depending on what stage of life you’re in), take a moment to assess the time you give to your own needs and wants. I, of course, encourage you to tend to your life, to take steps to find out what hobby you’d like to do or spend more time doing, and then get busy doing it.
Doing so will make you a better partner, parent, daughter/son, leader, employee. All your relationships will benefit by you taking care of yourself and finding more joy in your life. (If you need to be kinder to yourself and grow yourself self-compassion skills, read my blog on self-compassion). Remember, the experts have spoken. As Dr. Vuu puts it, there are great mental and physical health benefits that can come from any activity that “lights you up”.So, what lights you up? Share in the comments a hobby you’ve recently picked up or want to start. You never know what future benefits await you until you start.
Hobby on!Christine
