The Benefits of Having a Hobby
Let’s be honest with ourselves right now; we are all addicted to scrolling on our phone. Most of us will say we don’t have the time for a hobby, but we are spending ample time… on our phones.
I’ll admit it, I am very guilty of this. However, having a hobby (or 3) has helped me lower the amount of time I spend on my phone.
By choosing a hobby over your phone, you’re almost reclaiming yourself again. By all means, I know that phones don’t rule the world, but when you look at the amount of time spent on your phone & social media… trust me, you’ll understand what I mean.
Multiple universities like Harvard and UCLA have discussed the link between happiness and hobbies, so it’s not just me saying it. It’s a fact!
8 Benefits of having a hobby
I’ve done my research so you don’t have to. Read studies, articles, watched videos and more. And from what I found, here are 10 benefits of having a hobby.
Reduces Stress
There have been numerous studies on the connection between cortisol levels and hobbies.
Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. It plays a huge role in how our body responds to stress. When your body feels stressed, it releases cortisol into your bloodstream. Health concerns can arise when your body produces too little or too much cortisol.
Studies have shown that participating in hobbies can lower cortisol levels, thereby reducing stress. In particular, hobbies that involve your hands, like some form of art.
Lowers your risk of chronic diease
Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and dementia are just a few diseases that you could have a lower chance contracting by simply taking part in a hobby.
As mentioned earlier, taking part in hobbies can lower your stress. As many people have been discussing, stress can be a cause to many chronic diseases. By lowering your stress, you’re also lowering your chances of a chronic disease.
Improves your Cognitive Function
Your cognitive function is the ability to think, learn & remember things.
By taking part in certain hobbies, you are enhancing your cognitive function.
Referring back to chronic diseases, by improving your cognitive function you are lowering your chances of dementia.
Can Boost Confidence & Self Esteem
There are some hobbies out there that can improve your confidence.
Hobbies that you can accomplish, like knitting or sewing, can give you a sense of accomplishment and can help boost your self esteem.
As can fitness. Working out has many benefits, but being able to see the accomplishments of you eating healthy & working out, can help boost your confidence.
Helps build community
When I brought back my hobbies, I never thought that I’d be able to have a community. But that’s the benefit of social media!
I started an account to share my knits, and from that, I was able to build a community and connect with other people (and other moms!) who enjoy the same thing.
But not only on social media can you form a community, you can promote a “knit along” in your community if knitting is your hobby. Maybe fitness is your hobby, then you can connect and build community through going on walks with friends or meeting others at the gym.
Encourages Mindfulness & Presence
When you are focusing on a hobby, it forces you into the present moment; a reason I enjoy knitting.
With the amount of time we spend doomscrolling on our phone, we all need to spend more time in. the present.
By focusing on a hobby, not matter what it is, it forces you to be more mindful of your actions and puts you into the present moment.
Improves Mental Health
As stated earlier, hobbies can help in many ways. Your cognitive function, reduce stress, create mindfulness and well… much more! All these tied together can improve your mental health.
There’s reasons why doctors heavily suggest hobbies, especially using your hands, to help with your mental health. Its been proven that hobbies can improve multiple different mental health issues, it can even help lower the chances of dementia.
In fact, my own personal story of bringing back childhood hobbies, was a needed a distraction from a very traumatic event. What I learned was just how therapeutic knitting was and how it benefited me and helped me through a rough patch (still advise professional help if you need that).
You Become Happier
Looking back at all the other benefits, I imagine you can figure out just why hobbies can make you happier.
They reduce your stress, you can feel sense of accomplishment, or even help boost your self esteem.
Hobbies can help you in many ways; it’s just a matter of you starting TODAY to see the benefits yourself.