Written by Mehvish Farooqi
Edited by Aarohi Salaria
Every person deserves time to relax. Whether that be through exercising, crafting, or simply watching TV. In today’s work-oriented world, where demands consume our time and energy, having a hobby can vastly improve one’s health, work performance, and confidence while encouraging a time for recuperation and rejuvenation.
Mental Health
There are positive impacts hobbies can have on the mental well-being of an individual. For example, hobbies “decrease stress by relaxing you and taking your mind off the more pressing concerns of daily life like work and paying bills” (Kettering University). If a person were to be stressed all the time, their mental health would be negatively impacted. Therefore, hobbies lend a hand to ensure a person is relaxed and will enhance one's mental health.
Physical Health
Not only are there mental health benefits, but physical health benefits as well. For instance, a “study conducted by several psychologists of about 1,400 people found that people who said they engaged in enjoyable leisure activities had lower blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference and body mass index” (Marguerite Ward). These hobbies do not necessarily need to be high-intensity, such as exercising, they can even be as effortless as knitting or playing the guitar (Marguerite Ward). So regardless of whether or not a hobby is a sport, there is a high chance to have been benefited by it, even if it is not blatantly shown..
Work Performance
With school being such an important part of a student’s life, they typically assume that doing well in school would mean they have to dedicate all of their time to studying nonstop. However, studies show that “employees with hobbies are more satisfied with their jobs and have a lower likelihood of burning out” (Marguerite Ward). Hence the reason why one should consider comforting hobbies to relax themselves and remain the most productive. This applies to students as well. Working with no way to relax cannot benefit one's work ethic. Overworking oneself is not the solution.
Confidence
A serendipitous discovery of having a hobby is that it can help increase a person’s confidence. This is because any “activity that you can excel in is an opportunity for you to build your confidence and develop pride in your accomplishments”(University of Arkansas). If a person is having trouble with their confidence and feel as though their confidence could use some improvement, having a hobby and dedicating their time to become better at it could be their solution.
New Skills
The most transparent implication of having a hobby is developing new skills. For example, if one were to become infatuated with knitting and dedicate months to becoming better at knitting by practicing, taking lessons, and watching videos, they would have developed a new and interesting skill that they did not have before, further bettering themselves. Having this newfound dedication toward this hobby would allow them to persist into continuing and further honing this skill.
Overall, when life gets difficult, and seems to have shown its obstructions, it’s nice to have something to rely on to stay calm. Hobbies provide a great way for people to help the time move faster while also expanding their skill set, building confidence, and relaxing. So in the midst of a tedious task or a difficult situation, consider stepping aside and focusing on a hobby!
Works Cited
“3 science-backed reasons having a hobby will help your career.” CNBC, 2 August 2017, https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/02/3-science-backed-reasons-having-a-hobby-will-help-your-career.html. Accessed 31 March 2024.
University of Arkansas System. “Importance of Hobbies.” Uaex.uada.edu, https://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/extension-homemakers/Hobbies_LessonGuide.pdf. Accessed 31 March 2024.
“Why Hobbies Are Important?” Kettering University Online, 15 April 2019, https://online.kettering.edu/news/why-hobbies-are-important. Accessed 31 March 2024.
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