Take up a hobby or reconnect with an old one to enhance your happiness quotient

There must be hardly anyone who didn’t enjoy art class or drawing as a kid. It was a time when we could paint, make craft and let our creativity flow without judgement and distractions. We could spend hours creating colourful drawings or making fun projects with other children.

Some of us found the hobby of collecting rare stamps thrilling. Yet another popular hobby was collecting matchboxes; they came in bright, colourful covers and each had a unique and interesting design or logo. Thinking about these hobbies take us back to our carefree childhood days. Our hobbies brought us happiness and helped us relax. They made us feel good about ourselves and created memories that still manage to bring a smile today.

However, with time, it has become increasingly harder to find the space for these feel-good activities. Our busy schedules and responsibilities leave little room for things that once brought us joy. The hobbies we once cherished have faded into the background.

However, research shows that making time for hobbies is important for our mental and emotional health. According to a study published by Nature Medicine, having a hobby can be beneficial for our health, mood and overall wellbeing. Engaging in hobbies or creative activities such as painting, gardening, reading or building allows us to unwind, express ourselves and reconnect with what makes us happy. So, join us as we explore how engaging in hobbies or creative activities enhances our happiness and life satisfaction.

Helps tackle reduce stress and anxiety

Imagine you’ve had a long, tiring day. Perhaps you went out to get some official work done, but it didn’t go as planned. Maybe you had a tiff with your sibling. The reasons for stress accumulated in the body are endless and sometimes, it can feel like the weight of it all is just too much. It’s in these moments that having a hobby can help cope with stress.

Engaging in hobbies is a great way to reduce stress because it gives you a break from the pressures of daily life. When you focus on something you enjoy, whether it’s crocheting, knitting, reading a book or playing a game of chess, your mind shifts away from worries. This shift helps you to relax, unwind and release tension.

Activities you enjoy trigger the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that make people feel good. These “feel-good” chemicals elevate your mood, making you feel happier and more content.

Promotes creativity and personal growth

British-American theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson once said of hobbies, “Successful technologies often begin as hobbies. Jacques Cousteau invented scuba diving because he enjoyed exploring caves. The Wright brothers invented flying as a relief from the monotony of their normal business of selling and repairing bicycles.”

Here Dyson highlights how some of the most groundbreaking technologies and inventions began as hobbies. Jacques Cousteau, for example, developed scuba diving because he loved exploring caves. The Wright brothers invented the airplane while trying to break away from the mundane routine of their bicycle business. This shows that when we engage in hobbies, we explore what we are passionate about and that often leads to new ideas and innovations.

Further, when we engage in creative hobbies like painting, writing or playing a musical instrument, they help us express ourselves. Creative hobbies encourage us to think differently and approach problems in new ways. Over time, these hobbies contribute to our personal growth and a sense of fulfillment. They enhance our wellbeing.