Having hobbies is a great way to live life. They make our lives interesting and help us grow into a better version of ourselves. But, since we indulge in our hobbies in our free time, many tend to discard them as ‘luxury’ only a few can afford. Who has the time, right? What we don’t realise is hobbies are more than just a pastime. Adopting healthy or creative hobbies can do wonders for your mind and body. Research published in Nature has linked “leisure activities to many measures of physical and mental wellbeing, from reduced blood pressures to a sense of belonging.”
Whether you paint, write, cook or play the guitar, hobbies keep you engaged in activities that bring you joy. Believe it or not, your hobbies can also help you overcome obstacles in your path as they hone your creative skills subsequently. For instance, if you like solving puzzles, your ability to take on complicated tasks will improve significantly. If you are looking for ways to increase your creativity, here are some hobbies that can boost your creative thinking.
Indulge in DIY crafts
Do it yourself (DIY) crafts are not just for kids but adults too can benefit from this activity. It is a fun way of using creativity and channelling your emotions. For instance, if your favourite T-shirt looks worn out or faded, you can make modifications to make it look new and different. Or if you have plastic bottles, you can reuse them and turn them into a stationary holder. It is lightweight and you’ll do your part in saving the environment as well. Indulging in DIY crafts is a great way to improve your mood and your creativity. Like author Maya Angelou once said, “you can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Play board games
Most of us have fond memories of playing board games. Be it with family members or friends, the time we spent throwing dice or moving a chess piece can boost our creativity in more ways than one. The study says, board games “could help temporarily improve one’s divergent thinking capacity.” When you are playing a board game, you are fully focused on finding a way to win. You use your creativity and imagination to come up with new moves that can take you closer to the finishing line. This exercise can boost your creative thinking over time.
Be physically active
Our lack of movement, especially when we are working, can make us dull and affect our health and mood. This, in turn, can hamper our creative skills and imagination. If you want to enhance your creativity, make sure to stay physically active. Exercises such as jogging, walking or practicing aerobics not only improves your physical health but mental fitness too. The more consistent you are, the better you’ll feel about yourself. This will improve your confidence and you would be able to think with a clear, stress-free state of mind.
“Thinking out of the box” refers stepping beyond traditional boundaries and exploring new ideas to enhance your creative thinking.
Engaging in hobbies that challenge your usual ways of thinking and encourage exploration can stimulate your creative abilities.
Hobbies such as crafting, gardening, playing instruments and meditation can foster creativity.
Engaging in creative hobbies can lead to increased self-expression, reduced stress, improved problem-solving skills.
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