Why have a hobby?
In our society we are constantly being prompted to be successful, to drive forward to success. How exhausting. We need something other that what we have to do to keep us from going crazy.
It is not uncommon to think of hobbies as time wasting and a distraction from the things that need to be done to reach the elusive goal of success. Did you know that Hobbies can have many benefits. Below is an excerpt from an article by Dani DiPirro on www.positivelypresent.com
“BENEFITS OF HAVING A HOBBY
1. Hobbies encourage taking a break. Hobbies offer an opportunity to take a break—but a break with a purpose.
2. Hobbies promote eustress. Eustress is that positive kind of stress, the kind that makes you feel excited about what you’re doing and about life.
3. Hobbies offer a new challenge. Hobbies break up routine and challenge you in new ways, ways that are different from work, ways that are positive.
4. Hobbies unite you with others. Even if you engage in a solo activity, like illustrating, you’re exposing yourself to a new world of people, people who find the same thing enjoyable that you do.
5. Hobbies provide an outlet for stress.
6. Hobbies promote staying present. If you really love what you’re doing, you tend to get in the flow or zone and really, truly focus on the moment.
7. Hobbies have physical health benefits. Research has found that engaging in enjoyable activities during down time were associated with lower blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference, and body mass index. Engaging in these activities also correlated to higher levels of positive psychosocial states and lower levels of depression and negative affect. Hobbies are good for your mind and your body. “
If you were to google benefits of hobbies you would find thousands of pages discussing the science behind this list. But I think this summation, and the supporting discussion or her site, is all you really need to convince yourself that hobbies are a good idea.
Hobbies and Families
Taking part in extracurricular events for yourself teaches your children that being active and learning new things is enjoyable, important, and something they will want to do their entire lives.
There are many types of hobbies available
For me my hobbies have always involved fitness. For decades I was a runner and through programs like The Flying Feet Running Programs I got very fit and met lots of wonderful people. I also have spent hours at the gym and met many people with similar interests to mine. As a scientist my favorite articles to read have always been fitness and health oriented.
Music is another hobby that many get involved in. In the famous book, How to win friends and influence people. “Uncle George the fiddle scraper from Kinzua County” is a great example of someone who decided to pick up a new hobby and eventually turned it into a lifestyle. Basically the story goes George was forced into retirement and out of boredom he started playing an old fiddle. Eventually he started going to fiddle conventions and hanging out with other musicians. He started filling his time with people and things he liked and as a results he was very happy and extremely well liked.
Just a few other hobbies that many find enjoyable are, Martial arts, Meditation, working on cars, ballroom dancing, fishing, hiking, cycling, painting, sculpting, pottery, writing, and pets. This is a very short list of the things available to do with your free time. Share with us what you like to do. Perhaps you will meet others like yourself who enjoy the same things.
Mike I
Blogger for Frederick Dads
