In this day and age, it so easy for people to spend their whole lives staring at a screen. It’s a trap that many of us have fallen prey to. It’s and easy, accessible way for us to shut our brains off after a long day. Its normal to go home and turn on the television, sit down one the couch, and zone out until its time to go to sleep. However, there are so many other things we could be doing with or lives. Schooling on the internet, or binge watching your favorite show, isn’t the same as having an actual hobby. In this blog we will explore the types of creative outlets that are available and easy to begin. We will also be answering the question of how hobbies effect your mental health.

Hobbies You Can Be a Part of:

• Gardening
• Scrap booking/Journaling/Photo albums
• Learn how to cook/Bake
• Learn to Knitt/Crochet
• Try drawing/Painting
• Take up Yoga/Running/Exercise
• Start reading
• Learn a new language
• Sculpt/Whitle
• Stargaze
• Calligraphy
• Take classes offered in your community
• Learn how to play an instrument/sing
• Volunteer
• Dance/Drama
• Learn to sew
• Photography
• Hiking/Camping

There are so many more that I haven’t listed. If there is something that you have always thought about doing, then do it.

How do Hobbies Effect Mental Health?

You may think that a little side project like knitting, cant effect you that much, However, Harvard conducted a study over the course of 4-8 years, over 16 countries and 93,000 people. 60% of them had preexisting mental or physical health conditions. Some had hobbies and others didn’t. Over the course of the experiment they would all answer servery questions about their well-being. The people who participated in hobbies reported better mental well being and overall happier outlooks on life. They reported fewer symptoms of depression and a higher standard of life. Yes, this study is more observational than fully scientific, but the trend is clear. Overall, hobbies add to your life. They give a purpose, something to look forward to. Unlike the internet they don’t make you compare yourself to others, or spend all your waking hours staring at a screen. Having a hobby doesn’t mean you cant use your technology, it just means that you now have options.

My Purpose:

In writing this blog, I hope to share the importance of hobbies with people.  I truly believed that having these outlets for your free time and creativity will help you grow as a person and it will make you happy. With this project I hope to help people find a passion, I want other people to find a hobby that they love. I want to help people understand that there are so many skills and activities out there other than social media.

Sources: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being https://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/this-list-50-low-cost-hobbies-will-excite-you-2.html https://evolvetreatment.com/blog/hobbies-teens/