Why hobbies are so important!

99-SECOND READ

'Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.'

Oprah

How much time do you spend doing things you love?

It’s so important to prioritise your passions and hobbies, here are 9 reasons why:

1. More than just pleasurable activities, hobbies involve learning and developing new skills, they stimulate us emotionally, physically, creatively and intellectually.
2. Our brains work like a muscle; the more we exercise them, the better they perform. So whether you’re learning a language, knitting, surfing, drawing, dancing or rock climbing, you are learning. This improves cognitive function and your ability to learn other new skills, which benefits other areas of your life.
3. The natural goal of any hobby is to become better at it. Making improvements and gaining new skills is empowering. It creates a sense of achievement and therefore boosts self-confidence and self-worth.
4. It’s easy to spend a lot of time absorbing media, and while it can be entertaining, it often adds little real benefit to your life. Hobbies act as an incentive not to waste time on media – something to be excited about, that pulls you away from the screen.
5. Hobbies help you moderate your work hours and provide a structure or routine throughout your week, that doesn’t revolve around work. You’re more likely to finish work at a reasonable time if you have an evening activity planned that you’re really looking forward to!
6. Hobbies create and reinforce a sense of identity, which boosts self-confidence.
7. People who do things they are passionate about tend to be more interesting and engaging, allowing them to connect with, lead and inspire others.
8. You can meet people with similar interests, ideas or talents through your hobbies. An amazing way to expand your social circle or connect with people from different walks of life.
9. Many hobbies have an output that benefits others – whether you create beautiful paintings, food, music or play sport. It’s likely to entertain, inspire or simply bring joy to other people.

Are you making enough time for your hobbies?

If you don’t have any hobbies, do you see them as luxuries or an essential part of life? How long have you been under-prioritising them? 

If you just don’t you know what you enjoy – try something new this week and keep trying new things until you find that one thing that lights a fire inside you. The journey will be rewarding.

Subscribe to Work-Life Harmony Wednesdays to receive a free weekly email that will help you live a more healthy, balanced and fulfilling life.