What usually comes to our mind when someone talks about de stressing or rejuvenating? A spa day, a hot shower or just relaxing by the poolside!! So basically, relaxation is generally associated with inactivity. But has it ever occurred to us that we can also destress while being productive?
That’s what hobbies are. Your pastime for enjoyment and relaxation at the same time. And in addition to that, they are fruitful, because you not only learn something new but also reap endless benefits while doing something which is NOT a task for you.
Why hobbies are essential
Stress Relief
An indisputable reason to pursue a hobby is that they are excellent stress busters. Engaging in an activity that you thoroughly enjoy, takes your mind off the stress of everyday life. Because here you take pleasure in something that is not associated with chores or responsibility. They not only provide a break from the monotonous routine, but also give a sense of pleasure.
Teaches Patience
The process of creating something requires building skills through patience and practice. Hobbies often require learning new skills and eventually mastering them. This whole experience teaches you how to use your state of calm to your advantage. Additionally hobbies demands attention to detail, focus and mindfulness. And this mental acuity carries over to different areas of your life, thus making you more efficient and productive.
Help in Social Bonding
There are lots of activities like sports or dancing that are best enjoyed in a group. Such hobbies are a great way to get closer to people who share the same interest. And since they are leisure and fun activities, that means while engaging with others we are also sharing the joy that comes along. Also, joining a hobby club also open a way to make new social connections.
Prevents Time Waste
By engaging in hobbies you are using your downtime for productivity. Additionally, hobbies keep a check on the time you might end up wasting in the name of leisure. For example, scrolling mindlessly through social media or binge watching television series. To fit a hobby in your schedule, you need to manage your time wisely. Thus they give you very less room to waste your precious hours especially if you are already busy.
Offer Challenges
Picking up a new hobby means getting involved in something novel. It will require time and effort. You will be upset if you are making slow progress or none at all. But at the same time you will also be motivated to push a little harder. Pursuing a hobby means you will have to balance your work and leisure along with other commitments. That is another challenge that you will have to overcome. But all these efforts shall pay you back as you will love this whole journey.
Pick up a hobby for you
Look behind at your childhood
Take a pause and try to recall. What was your favourite activity as a child? That one thing that you used to spend hours engrossed at? And that one thing that still excites you. That’s something that you can pick up again. Ask yourself, were you always on your bike? So join a cyclist club now! Did you spend hours creating that perfect dress for your doll? Then try craft. Did you love running in the woods? So go ahead and put on your trekking shoes. Childhood is a great source of inspiration for us adults.
Notice what you buy as a guilty pleasure
What is it that you love splurging on? That could be your next hobby. If you are an art lover then you can try creating one, and eventually more. If it’s the smell of fresh flowers that you can’t live without, then it’s time to grow some of your own. Do you always choose nature images as a part of your home decor? Then pick up a camera and venture out in woods. Your payment receipts might hold an answer for what you are looking for.
Think of what you want to change about yourself
Is there anything that you simply gave up doing because being an adult came in your way? While juggling through your day do you wish to go back and enjoy doing that special thing? Do you still feel empty after going out for movies or shopping, and wonder if you could have done something else instead? That something is calling you. You should go after it.
Try different ideas
If you can’t find out that one particular interest, then throw yourself into different options. Hobby by definiton is an activity that you do in your leisure time for pleasure. They are supposed to be fun. And the only way to have fun is by actually doing it. So go ahead and try different things and see for yourself which one ends up being your click.
How to take out time
Plan
Even recreational activities needs to be planned ahead. Especially if your calendar is already packed. Just like any other piece of business, leisure time also needs to be scheduled. That ways you make sure that you do take out time for pleasure, until it becomes a habit or a part of your regular routine. Then you won’t really need to work towards it because it will happen naturally. But if you are a beginner who has never tried a time off ; then your planner is definitely going to make that big change.
Prioritize
Saddest part of being an adult is that having fun is not a obvious choice. It was when we were kids. Back then the sole reason for us to do anything was to have fun! If it’s not fun we aren’t doing it. But now, having fun needs to be prioritized, scheduled and constantly being reminded of. It won’t come to us naturally, because our responsibilities would always get in the way.
Remove distractions
Hobbies only make sense when they are carried out with a calm and focussed mind. And that’s where mindfulness pitches in. If you are distracted with work, or any other thing then you won’t reap the full benefit out of the activity. Hobbies are a way to take your mind off worries and indulge in something that makes you happy. So, whenever you are taking your time out for leisure, make sure you leave behind everything that reminds you of work.
Make use of small chunks
It’s not always feasible to take out hours for indulgence. And that’s absolutely fine if your schedule is already demanding. After all, you don’t want your hobby to become another reason to stress you out. So start small. Try to make use of the dead space. For example, reading a couple of pages before sleeping, or sketching while you wait for your boarding to start. If you pay close attention, you would be able to take at least fifteen minutes out every day where you can give yourself the much needed break.
Hobbies are rewarding. They reward you with a sense of accomplishment along with great pleasure.
“Make a commitment to having fun. See your best friends and make time for your hobbies and passions.” - Robert Holden