Six hobbies that can make you a happier person
Hobbies are something that you do for fun or pleasure. You do it during your free time, and you don’t get paid to do it. Since hobbies are leisure activities, a lot of people discard hobbies as a “luxury” they can’t afford.
However, it turns out that making time for a hobby is more than just a way to have fun. Picking up a hobby has myriads of benefits, such as the following:
- A hobby can give you a sense of self-efficacy.
- A hobby can be a creativity outlet.
- Having hobbies will keep your brain engaged.
- A hobby gives you something to look forward to.
- A hobby can give you something to be passionate about.
Hobbies help develop our tastes and our passions in life – they can be as diverse as gardening, cooking, writing, skydiving, stand-up comedy and sewing to name but a few.
When something makes you happy, you will find that the release you get from it will give you a great amount of energy.
What are you doing with that “me” time? Is it something that is providing you with additional benefits outside of the hobby itself? Consider picking up a hobby that will provide added benefits to your work and personal life.
Exercise
If you’re not a “gym” person, try a brisk two-mile walk several days a week. This not only supports cardiovascular health, but it is also a great way to exercise your mind. Research in neuroscience has shown that cardiovascular exercise improves cognition and mental performance.
Meditation
Many people are embracing meditation to make their lives better. It keeps you fresh and at the same time, enables you to be a better performer. The idea is that a healthy mind is a better mind. Meditation is about learning to stay present and in the moment without all of the internal chatter that interferes with your thought process. It actually helps you see new things and enhance your engagement, and leaves you feeling energised straight after.
Learn to play a musical instrument
Learning to play a musical instrument can be as if you are learning a new language. It is about practicing to acquire new skills you can enjoy for years to come. Music is a fantastic form of expression and release, while stimulating your brain and making you smarter. The sense of achievement a person achieves from successfully playing their favorite song will immediately give you a happy feeling.
Photography
Photography is a wonderful skill to learn, and can be combined with other activities. Unlike most creative hobbies, which involve creating something out of nothing, photography is all about capturing the beauty that already exists around us. This can be in nature, at home, or even on the streets.
Painting
Painting may not seem like it is for everyone, but it can lend some wonderful perspective on your life and can help unleash your creative side. Painting allows for you to tap into the thoughts swimming around in your head, and can help translate them into something beautiful. Your painting will hopefully inspire you to be more productive in general, so go ahead and pick up a paintbrush.
Yoga
Yoga is one of the most productive hobbies you can fit into your schedule, as it allows you to close off all external thoughts and focus entirely on your bodily practice. You focus strongly and single-mindedly on improving your body and physical fitness, as well as emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and you’ll be well prepared and more productive for the future.