Hobbies have many stress-relieving benefits that usually make them more than worth the time they require.
Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of hobbies.
Health Benefits of Hobbies
Hobbies have been found to have both psychological and physical health benefits.
Tatiana Maramygina / Getty Images
Taking a Break
Hobbies provide a slice of time in your schedule free of responsibilities.
This can be especially beneficial for people who feel overwhelmed by all that they have to do.
Regardless of your perspective, hobbies provide a nice break during a busy week.
In other words, hobbies can provide just the right amount of challenge and excitement.
Pleasures can bring a lift to your mood.
This can put people in a near-meditativestate where they lose track of time and feel removed from thestressorsof life.
It gives us an opportunity to fully engage in what we are doing.
Gratifications can lead to areduction in stressand a sense of well-being, and hobbies are usually experienced as gratifications.
Takeaway
You might experiment with a variety of different hobbies to discover what works for you.
Eriksen W, Bruusgaard D. Do physical leisure time activities prevent fatigue?
A 15 month prospective study of nurses aides.
Br J Sports Med.
2004;38(3):331-336.
Pressman SD, Matthews KA, Cohen S, et al.
Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being.
2009;71(7):725-732.
noble.dana.
Breaking down burnout in the workplace.
Erikson, W, Bruusgaard, D.Do Physical Leisure Time Activities Prevent Fatigue?
A 15-Month Prospective Study of Nurses' Aides.Brazilian Journal of Sports Medicine.
2004;38(3): 331336. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2002.004390
Peterson, C.A Primer in Positive Psychology.
New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2006.
New York: Free Press, 2002.
2006;91(2).
