Why Hobbies are Important

There are days when I am exhausted even after sleeping for eight hours. My mind can’t focus and quickly gets distracted. My energetic self is just not there. I think I have burned myself by just doing, hustling, grinding every single day, for months of end. I kept doing, checking off my to-do list with no time devoted to relaxation.

Sure I sleep to rest, but we are not just made of the body but also with mind and spirit that needs to be rest, replenish, rejuvenate. Now I feel so tired, not physically, but my mind and soul are just tired that I do not want to do anything related to my to-do list. I have lost the excitement of pursuing my dreams. I have lost the zest to go after what I want.

Is this temporary? I hope it is because I do not want my dreams of financial freedom to remain a dream but a reality. Now, what do I do? How do I get back the zest and excitement of going after my dreams? How do I get back the joy of getting up every morning because it’s another day, another opportunity for me to work on having and living my dream life? Another day to seize the day!

These days I find myself watching more videos, reading, writing, singing. I am doing things I like and love to do. It’s my way of taking a break. I turn to my hobbies.

One of the ways to rejuvenate ourselves is to engage in a hobby. I define a hobby as any purposeful activity I do to spend my free time wisely, relax and calm my mind, and give my mind, body, mind, and soul a break.

When I am engaging in a hobby, I am attempting to get back what I have lost. I am trying to replenish my body, mind, and spirit.

Some believe that hobbies are not necessary because they do take time away from work and family. However, personal pursuits will benefit us in the long run. Hobbies help keep us physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy.

Hobbies can range from outdoor hobbies like rock climbing, sports hobbies like archery, horse riding, ice skating, martial arts, swimming to travel hobbies, traditional arts like dancing, drawing, playing a musical instrument, painting, pottery, creative hobbies like blogging, engraving, graphic design, video creation, crafting hobbies like cross-stitching/embroidery, knitting/crocheting, jewelry making, scrapbooking, sewing, woodworking, food and cooking hobbies like baking, canning/pickling/making jams, game hobbies like board games, chess, puzzles, collecting hobbies, enrichment hobbies like meditation, home improvement, learning a new language.

We need to spend time doing activities that we like to do and re-commit to some “me time” by starting up our favorite pastimes again. Why, may you ask? Here are the benefits of hobbies and why they are essential to incorporate them into our daily routines.

The 16 Benefits of Hobbies

1. Hobbies allow us to release our stress and recharge our batteries. We know that stress can be destructive. Crafts and other personal activities help us let go of the stress as we focus on something we enjoy.

When we feel anxiety or frustration, hobbies are a healthy outlet for those feelings. Immersing ourselves in our favorite activity frees us from troublesome thoughts.

2. Explore our creative side by doing a hobby. Do we typically take time out of our busy day to let our creative juices flow? Hobbies fulfill this significant role, giving us the time and reason to produce something of our own design.

3. Planning time to do our unique craft says that we are important and worthy. We deserve to have these special moments. They’re a great way to practice self-care!

4. Hobbies can bring balance to our life with social activities. Socializing is a crucial element of a balanced life. Hobbies can encourage people to socialize, mainly if we display our projects or stay active in a club. It enables us to socialize and make new friends.

5. Personal pastimes bring fun and enjoyment to our life. Hobbies are gratifying for many people and give us a chance to take delight in something we’re doing.

6. Our work or career may not allow us to express ourselves as much as we like. Hobbies provide an outlet for personal expression.

If I have a passion for painting pictures, I can paint whatever I want. If I cross stitch, I can choose the design, the pattern, the colors to create something all my own.

7.Hobbies provide a break from the mundane. Some days, life can seem monotonous and bring feelings of boredom or powerlessness. Hobbies serve as wonderful respites.

8. Hobbies sharpen our minds. It provides us an outlet for our creativity and keeps our brain engaged. Hobbies such as painting can express creativity and facilitates the expression of our imagination into the paper. When we challenge ourselves to learn a new skill or activity, it benefits our mental health.

9. For personal growth and enrichment. Hobbies such as reading stimulate new neural pathways as we learn and apply new information.

10. For better physical health. A hobby in sports would be a remarkable way to relax our minds and an enjoyable way to improve our physical health.

11. For better emotional health. When we spend time on hobbies that we enjoy can improve our mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies have a low likelihood of stress, low mood, and depression. Especially outdoor hobbies can make us feel happier and more relaxed.

12. For better spiritual health. Creative hobbies and art therapy are perfect ways to improve our mental and spiritual health. Finding peace in our minds will help us lead happy, healthy, and more fulfilling lives. Art can give us a healthy way to express emotions and get in touch with our spiritual side.

13. Way to make extra money. There are many hobbies that can be monetized and can be profitable.

14. Learn a useful skill. Engaging in certain hobbies facilitates learning new skills that can be very useful. Hobbies are diverse and help us develop our likes, loves, and passions in life.

15.Hobbies provide structure and a ritual to life, especially for people who live alone. Like after getting off from work, we can find our sketch pad and go outdoors to sketch scenic views.

Rituals provide comfort and are enjoyable, and hobbies are an excellent way to spend time alone.

16. Many hobbies are versatile. We can do them by ourselves or with friends. Join your local club or group to practice your pursuit with others.

In Summary

Hobbies are critical for our survival. There are so many reasons, such as de-stressing, allowing creativity, bringing balance to our life, and providing self-expression opportunities. Spending time doing our beloved pastime is not only life-saving, but it is part of our self-care.

We must find out what we love to do, are excited to learn, have a passion for, or simply enjoy doing. Our lives will be enriched and enable us to experience life.

Finding a creative hobby that engages our brain will allow us to experience several mental health benefits: reducing stress, improving memory, providing a sense of accomplishment, fighting depression, and boosting our overall mood and quality of life.

We must always find time for things that make us happy to be alive. It will do us good in the long run. We become more consistent and persistent, deliberate, and happy in our actions. We become healthy in mind, body, and spirit ready to take on the world.