You may believe that hobbies aren’t really necessary. After all, they take time away from work and family. Personal pursuits, however, serve many important functions including helping keep you emotionally and mentally healthy.

If you’ve been avoiding spending time doing activities you like to do, maybe it’s time to re-commit to some “me time” and start up your favorite pastimes again.

Why Your Hobby Is So Incredibly Important

1. Hobbies provide an opportunity to release your stress and recharge your batteries.

It’s widely understood in the medical community that stress can be destructive. Crafts, sports and other personal activities help you let go of stress as you focus on something you enjoy.

• When you feel anxiety or frustration, hobbies are a healthy outlet for those feelings.
• Immersing yourself in your favorite activity helps to dissipate troublesome thoughts.

2. Explore your creative side through practicing a hobby.

Hobbies fulfill this very important role, giving you the time and reason to be creative. A great resource that discusses hobbies/creativity as a part of living well is The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.

3. Planning time to do your special craft says that you’re important and worthy.

You deserve to have those moments where you are immersed in doing something you love. This is an act of self-care.

4. Hobbies bring balance to your life.

Is your life all work and no play? Hobbies help to create balance. Play is an essential part of life.

5. Personal pastimes bring fun and enjoyment to your life.

Hobbies are truly enjoyable for many people and give you a chance to take delight in something you’re doing.

6. Your work or career may not allow you to express yourself as you might like.

Hobbies, on the other hand, provide an outlet for personal expression.

• If your passion is painting pictures, you can paint whatever you want. Likewise, if you knit, you can choose the color, yarn, gauge, and pattern, to create something all your own.
• Because everyday life can seem monotonous and bring feelings of powerlessness, hobbies serve as wonderful respites.

7. Pastimes provide structure and ritual to life.

Rituals and structure help us to feel better throughout our week. Hobbies are a great way to provide yourself with an enjoyable routine that you can look forward to.

8. Hobbies lead to connection.

A sense of connection can be made through your hobby. It provides you with a common tie to others that enjoy the same hobby.

Seeking Your Special Hobby: Find Your Bliss

Spend some time doing activities that bring you joy. If you’re not sure what type of pursuit to add to your life, consider these suggestions:

• Start looking around for a new hobby. Keep your mind open to new activities you hear about.
• Check out your local newspaper or listen to the local radio station to discover what’s going on in your community. Maybe there’s a new boating club or book discussion group you’d like to join.
• Feel free to go to just one or two club meetings to see if you’re going to enjoy a particular pastime. You can always look for other activities if you find that one doesn’t suit you.
• Pay attention to the hobbies of your friends and neighbors. Ask to observe your friends or even join them for a morning, afternoon or evening, taking part in their activities to see what you think.
• Search online for fun things to do that might be of interest to you. These can be things you do alone at home or in other group settings.

Hobbies are important for many reasons, such as de-stressing, allowing creativity, bringing balance to your life and providing opportunities for self-expression. If you haven’t been enjoying a hobby lately, now’s the time to get back to it.