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Happy Hobbies make Healthy Habits!

Article edited by Christine Arulappen.

Having hobbies can significantly contribute to a healthier and happier life for you.  Hobbies are activities that we choose to participate in for our own enjoyment and sense of fulfilment.  They can include activities such as gardening, playing the piano, team sports or even collecting stamps.  There are many advantages of undertaking hobbies, some of these include:

  • Hobbies can boost your health
  • You may discover hidden talents and passions
  • Hobbies are a great way to network

    Hobbies can boost your health

      Hobbies can actually help support your physical and mental health.  A large study of over 1400 participants revealed that adults who spent more time in different leisure activities had a lower body mass index and lower blood pressure readings.1 These benefits are increased if the activity that you do is more physical such as engaging in team sports, or dancing. Research also reveals that increased leisure time helps us cope with daily stress and traumatic life events.2 

        Discover hidden talents and passions

          Participating in hobbies can also help us discover hidden talents and passions.  Some people start learning guitar only to discover how much they enjoy the activity and often how natural it feels for them to be playing that instrument.  The sense of purpose and accomplishment you’ll gain will be priceless, after all what better way to pass time than by doing something you love?

            Hobby’s are a great way to network

              Group leisure activities are a great opportunity for you to make friends that share similar interests to you. This can also help to break up your day or week. For more in depth information on the benefits of socializing, have a look at the article “Your Health - Physical, Mental and Social”. On the other hand, including a hobby on your resume may be a great conversation starter and help you stand out above the rest of the applicants. 

              Before starting a hobby it’s important to consider:

              • Your personal tastes and interests
              • The amount of time you would like to spend engaging in this activity
              • Any additional costs involved in undertaking the activity
              • Whether the activity is something you feel you can maintain long term

              Overall do something you enjoy doing, that way you will look forward to doing it and it will be something you can maintain. A future article will look at some great hobby ideas.

              References

              1. Health Behaviours News Service, 2009.  More Leisure Time Improves Health and Boosts Mood [Online].  Available at http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=2094 [Accessed 13th October, 2009]. 
              2. Siegenthaler, K.L., 1997.  Health benefits of leisure. Parks & Recreation [Online] Available at http://www.thefreelibrary.com/_/print/PrintArticle.aspx?id=19066896 [Accessed 13th October, 2009]. 


              Last updated 29 October 2009