Hobbies and mental health

Hobbies and mental health. The New Year is when many people decide to take up a new hobby, pastime or activity. But did you know they can be good for your mental and physical health?

It’s not good for you to spend all your time on chores and work. For good mental and physical health, you need to make sure you make time for things you enjoy as well. Setting specific times for hobbies and fun activities can help you stick to your schedules for necessary tasks and boost your mood by giving you something to look forward to.

Why having a hobby is good for your health

• A hobby such as a sport or craft provides a way to challenge yourself. Learning new skills and doing new things are good ways to introduce interest and controllable challenges into your life. And, when you succeed at reaching a goal, it boosts your self-esteem.
  
• Many hobbies improve your ability to think outside the box. This can make you better at your job and at coping with problems in your daily life. And having something to look forward to and enjoy helps to prevent you from burning out or getting bored.
  
• Using your downtime constructively can help you avoid falling into unhealthy habits such as overeating, drinking and smoking excessively. A hobby gives you ‘me’ time and helps you relax, which can keep your stress under control.
  
• Active hobbies like sports, yoga, dancing, etc. are an excellent way to get your daily exercise. Exercise improves the health of your heart and lungs, keeps your weight stable, and reduces stress hormones in your bloodstream. Less active hobbies like writing or drawing also reduce stress levels because they help you practice mindfulness. Focusing on the task at hand stops your mind from racing or wandering.
  
• Many hobbies involve being around others. Sports teams, knitting circles, writers’ workshops, and activism allow you to develop skills with others who share them. Making friends is important for mental health, and a shared hobby is a good way to meet supportive people. You can also help each other hone your skills via constructive criticism and friendly competition. Hobbies are good things to talk about with people you meet elsewhere.
  
• On a practical level, some hobbies help you make things you can use. Cooking your own food or sewing your own clothes is fun and can help you save money. Ingredients are cheaper than takeout food in the long run. Clothes and accessories you make yourself can look exactly how you want them to and fit you perfectly. Gardening can let you grow your own fruits or vegetables for healthy meals or flowers to brighten up your home. You might even be able to sell your crafts at markets or online, making your hobby self-financing. (Make sure you’re following all the necessary regulations, though).

Hobbies help mental health when they are part of a balanced life, so make sure yours isn’t eating up all your time or energy. Some hobbies, such as video games, can be addictive because of the easy dopamine rush they provide. If you find your hobby is cutting into your sleeping or working time, seek help from a therapist.