10 Reasons You Should Make Time for a Hobby

Now could not be a better moment to make time for a hobby. The chaos of the coronavirus is at an all time high, leaving many feeling isolated and fearful. We could all use a little more hygge in these fear-filled days, and there’s nothing more hygge than a good old fashioned hobby. Whether that be knitting, painting, kayaking or sculpting, below are the 10 Reasons You Should Make Time for a Hobby.

Oh, and don’t forget to download your hygge habit tracker on @hyggefamilyprints on Etsy, link below.

1. Hobbies Encourage Hygge

A hygge life is a peaceful one. Working on a hobby trains you to enter a state of flow, especially when you love what you are doing. Basically, hobbies give us peace. They encourage hygge. Life today is all about moving fast and doing until we are completely exhausted. It’s a recipe for burnout, but we don’t need to work to the point of exhaustion. Make time for a creative hobby today and give yourself a break.

2. Hobbies Help You Lose Weight

Okay, so this might be a stretch, but according to a study conducted by several psychologists people who are engaged in enjoyable leisure activities have lower blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference and body mass index. Yes, you heard that right. Hobbies can potentially help you lose weight. The study showed that even low-movement hobbies like knitting, crafting and guitar are connected to better health.

3. Hobbies Help You Have A Better Work Performance

Having a creative hobby after work can actually help you be more productive on the job. A study of 400 employees published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found having a creative hobby to be associated with increased creativity on projects and a better attitude at work. Other studies show that employees with hobbies have a lower likelihood of burnout and were more satisfied overall.

4. Promote Eustress (a positive kind of stress)

Did you know there is a positive type of stress? Turns out stress can be a good thing! Eustress, or stress in a positive form, makes you feel excited about what you are doing. Why is this a good thing? Eustress helps us to stay motivated, work toward goals and feel good about life in general. It helps to build resilience. Cool, right?

5. Hobbies Offer New and Unique Challenges

Work-related projects usually come with their own stress and pressures, because at work we want to be the best. Hobbies give us the opportunity to enjoy the process of learning something new at our own pace. Also, challenges at work are typically mentally exhausting. Whereas a hobby could be physically challenging, such as running, rock climbing or kayaking.

6. Hobbies Build Relationships

If you are looking to meet new friends, then adopt a new hobby! Mutual taste in activities help you meet new people and build stronger relationships. Improve your skills while also meeting new friends. Do you have plenty of friends already? Excellent! Schedule uninterrupted time and enjoy your hobby or hobbies together.

7. Hobbies Help You Grow Spiritually

Clearing out the clutter in our minds gives room for connection. Hobbies often grant the clarity we need to hear God’s voice more clearly. Make your hobby time an electronic device free zone. That means no background music, podcasts, TV shows, movies or Youtube. Just focus on the creative task at hand. Speak to the people you are hobbying with, spend time in prayer or better yet practice the art of silence. You will be amazed how a small period of true silence can bring peace to your soul.

8. Hobbies Prevent Wasting Time

I don’t know about you, but after a long day of work all I want to do is curl into a blanket on the couch and watch Netflix. It’s tempting to be lazy in our spare time, but laziness can prevent us from achieving goals. In Louisa Alcott’s iconic novel, Little Women, four sisters form a club called the Busy Bee Society. They create the Society in order to work on useful tasks and not be idle. The girls are still having fun together, but in a productive way. Having a hobby can help reduce your urge to be lazy and create bad habits.

9. Hobbies Increase Confidence

As you progress in your hobby you are building self-esteem and confidence. It feels good to be good at something. Pushing your limits and getting out of your comfort zone will help you achieve things you never thought possible. Do you have a dream that seems unattainable, like learning to play guitar? Just start by learning one chord. One day at a time, one lesson at a time.

10 Hobbies Can Provide Income

I saved this point for last, because I find it the least relevant. Having a hobby that provides extra income is useful and sometimes vital for your family. However, I believe there is an epidemic in America of treating our hobbies as jobs. We work all day and then we come home and work some more. Guard your free time. Do not allow your entire life to be consumed by work.

Thank you so much for reading the 10 Reasons You Should Make Time for a Hobby. Need hobby ideas? Check out our list below! For more peace-filled content, check out the following:

7 Tips to Create a Hygge Morning Routine
10 New Practices That Will Revolutionize Your 2020
5 Reasons You Need to Slow Down
How to Create Hygge Habits

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Love Always,