As per the Cambridge dictionary, `a hobby is an activity that someone does for pleasure when he or she is not working.’ An activity that you enjoy pursuing in your spare time. You don’t mind paying money, or travelling long distances or investing time and efforts to master it.
And let’s not confuse this with mindless activities like watching TV shows for hours or playing video games and spending time on video games. Simply because learning to master any of the hobbies you need to invest some time and effort everyday in it. It’s not something that can happen overnight.
A hobby can help you divert your mind from mental stress of day to day living. When you are done with your career it can help you to make a few extra bucks or when you are down and out a Hobby can help you restore your mental balance.
As children we are encouraged to pickup after school activities. A hobby can be an activity which goes with your personality or state of mind. It could enhance our hidden talent, add fun and happiness to our mundane routines. Just performing at the college function or at a get together can add to one’s confident and mental health.
People with passion and hobbies suffer less from stress and anxiety. Hobbies can also help you supplement your income or become a side gig in times o financial troubles.
Let us look at a few hobbies that we can invest our time in.
Music or playing an instrument: Music can soothe our nerves. Playing, guitar, casio, flute, drums or a saxophone can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It can be a great mood enhancer that can add to positive energy and happiness. It can help you be in the moment and focus on the positive side of life. In fact, music therapy has been proven to reduce anger and anxiety.
If you are not inclined to learning an instrument you can learn to sing or master vocals. Take one step at a time and you will see yourself progressing.
Cooking: Regular cooking can become a burden sometimes. But trying our new recipies, new cuisines from different countries or just leaning to bake a cake can make your day.
Being mindful while cooking can help alleviate stress and enhance our mood. There are people who have benefitted mentally from baking and trying out different recipes in their free time.
Photography: A picture can tell a thousand stories. Putting a frame in the right perspective can put the environment in the right perspective. Taking up photography can have a meditative effect on an individual. IN the age of Instagram clicking pictures, connecting with nature and getting feedback can be very gratifying.
Drawing and painting: Playing with colours, learning to draw requires tremendous focus. Getting a painting done can be a distraction from your everyday life and is quite relaxing.
Exercise and Yoga: Being a fitness trainer or a yoga trainer can be a good hobby. It can help you remain fit and you can also help others be fit.
Yoga is a holistic practice that keeps your mental as well physical body aligned. Any kind of exercise can boost the flow of happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphin.
Writing : As children, we are often encouraged to write our diary. Writing down things can declutter our mind. Penning down your thoughts writing a story or poem has a therapeutic impact on senses. In the internet era, blogging can be another hobby to pursue.
Gardening: Planting a seed and then seeing it grow into a plant can be so soothing. Just watering the plants, cleaning up the weeds and being with the nature. It can help us remain grounded and connect us with our true self.
Dancing:Dance is all about letting go and coordination. Group performance helps us socialize and enjoy music. It also improves your posture and flexibility, lifts your mood. Besides it can also sharpen your mind.
Each one of us is responsible to our won mental health. Cultivating a passion a hobby is really our won responsibility. It can save us from being very lonely or desperate at times in life. We can learn and then we can also teach to others after a few years of mastery.