Engaging in hobbies provides a healthy escape from negative thoughts and worries, offering a much-needed distraction and opportunity to unwind. Whether it is reading, knitting, or playing a musical instrument, these activities divert our attention and provide a break from stressors, promoting relaxation.
Immersed in the present moment, our minds find solace and respite as we detach from daily pressures. Hobbies become a personal sanctuary, allowing us to explore our passions, express creativity, and indulge in pure enjoyment. A 2019 research done by University College London, showed that taking up a hobby helped lower symptoms of depression.
Mahima Sahi, Chandigarh based chief psychologist at heyy, a mental healthcare app, agrees. “A significant body of research has found measurable reductions in stress hormone levels amongst individuals who regularly engage in such hobbies,” she says.
Goal setting and achievement
The process of picking up a new hobby inherently involved setting goals for oneself. And because the individual is motivated to learn more about the hobby, the process of achieving these goals boosts self-esteem.
According to Sahi, hobbies play a pivotal role in personal development by facilitating goal setting and achievement. “Achieving these goals reinforces one’s sense of self-efficacy, bolstering both their self-confidence and self-esteem. The process of repeatedly setting goals and achieving them helps individuals build resilience, perseverance, and self-belief,” she says.
Emotional outlet
Hobbies offer a valuable avenue for emotional expression and release, acting as a healthy outlet for our innermost thoughts and feelings. Whether it is through writing in a journal, painting on a canvas, dancing, or engaging in sports, these activities allow us to channel and process our emotions in a constructive way.
Anoushka Kumar, a certified expressive arts therapy facilitator in Delhi, sheds light on the power of emotional release through writing. “Creative writing plays a significant role in promoting our mental well-being. It helps us process and express our emotions, allowing us to gain a better understanding of ourselves,” she says.
The act of creating, whether it is putting pen to paper, brush to canvas, or body in motion, can be deeply therapeutic, allowing us to explore and communicate our inner world.
Hobbies can act as a cathartic tool for emotional expression as well. According to Shreya Gupta, Gurugram based counselling psychologist, “Engaging in hobbies as an emotional outlet fosters emotional well-being by providing a means of reflection, release, and personal growth.”
Improved focus and concentration
Engaging in a hobby requires a certain amount of focus and concentration. According to Gupta, “Regularly engaging in hobbies that demand focused attention and concentration can have a significant impact on improving our ability to concentrate in other areas of life.”
She adds that hobbies like solving puzzles, playing chess, or engaging in woodworking require mental clarity, strategic thinking, and sustained focus. By consistently challenging ourselves in these activities, we sharpen our cognitive abilities, including memory, problem-solving skills, and attention span.
Time for reflection and solitude
In popular culture, we often associate hobbies like hiking, photography, or gardening, with a sense of self reflection and introspection. Just like Ranbir Kapoor in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, we see hobbies such as photography and hiking as a way to ‘find ourselves’.
While the movie might be entirely fictional, there lies some truth in the value of hobbies for self-reflection and growth.
Sahi says, “Certain hobbies provide opportunities for solitude and reflection, contributing to personal growth and self-awareness. Hobbies like journalling or reading, for instance, can give individuals the quiet, uninterrupted time they need for introspection.”
This introspective practice, she adds, can help individuals better understand their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, fostering growth and self-awareness.
Sense of identity and purpose
Hobbies become a reflection of our unique personality and provide a platform for self-expression. They allow us to explore and develop our talents, skills, and creative potential, leading to a greater understanding of who we are as an individual.
A person who has a deep love for nature might take up bird watching or hiking as a hobby, says Sahi adding, “Such activities not only affirm their values but also become integral to their identity.” According to her, this alignment of hobbies with personal values and interests can result in increased life satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
The benefits of hobbies may vary from person to person. It is important to choose activities that genuinely resonate with one and bring them joy. The goal is to find hobbies that nourish our mental well-being and promote a balanced and fulfilling life.
