The first thing people say when you announce to the world that you're bored is "pick up a new hobby". If you're like me, that piece of advice goes in from one ear and out the other. Not only is it too much work to find one but keeping up with it is such a big time commitment, right? Sheesh, you can't catch me doing that. However, I decided to do some research to see why people always suggest picking up a new hobby. After doing some research, I found several reasons that will definitely encourage everyone to pick up a new hobby.
1) Increased Work Performance
There has been a common misconception that hobbies take away too much time from important things such as work and relaxation because of the commitment you have to put in it. However, according to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology in 2014 and others, employees who participated in a creative hobby had a better attitude, more creative, more satisfied, and less likely to burn out on the job. Doing something you enjoy rather than being lazy is much more beneficial to your work as you have something to look forward to after work. Furthermore, it can bring you and your co-workers together especially if you share a hobby in common.
2) Beneficial to physical health
Although there are many different types of hobbies, there is one common theme among them, you are doing something physical. Whether its painting to coding to playing a sport, each requires some type of physical movement, which is healthier than no physical movement. Not only is the physical movement part healthy but there are other physical measures that hobbies help. According to a study published in Psychosom Medicine in 2014, enjoyable leisure activities have been correlated with lower blood pressure, lower cortisol AUC (stress hormone), a reduction in BMI, a reduction in waist circumference, and better perceived physical function. Instead of being bored and eating all the time, you'll be de-stressing with an activity that you find fun.
3) A reduction in stress and improvement in mental health
In the modern world, there is constant stress on one's life. From what's going to be dinner to keeping up with friends, the stress never seems to stop. However, when picking up a hobby, this is considered "you" time. You can step back from the busy world and relax doing something that you enjoy and there are many benefits in doing so. The same study mentioned above published in Psychosom Medicine also correlated enjoyable leisure activities to greater positive affects (well-being and calmness), life satisfaction, life engagement, social support, lower depression, and lower levels of negative affect. After quarantine, you can also get with others that are participating in the same hobby and do it together! You will meet many new people and gain a social network.
Some hobbies to consider are: drawing, painting, embroidery, video games, playing a sport in your backyard, movies, shows, creative writing, blogging, reading, photography, playing a new instrument, dancing, building electronics, coding, yoga, quilting, cooking, board games, poker, calligraphy, and the list goes on! So what are some new hobbies you planning on picking up?
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/joop.12064
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