Life and work can become stressful. Everyone needs a way to unwind and take their mind off of things. How about trying a hobby or two?
Stress can be good or bad. It is our reaction to stimuli around us. Some stress can spur us on to perform at a higher level. Other types of situations can cause us to take up bad habits to compensate.
We are talking about the bad kinds of stress here. When there is no outlet for stressful feelings like on the job or at home, the result can be poor health and ruined relationships.
The benefits of Hobbies
Many people discount hobbies as a waste of time, but maybe they have never tried them. A hobby can be categorized as any activity that brings a reward beyond monetary, enriches your life, provides mental stimulation and, most of all, relieves stress. It gives you time away from ordinary activities that you have to do and frees you up to do something that you want to do.
A hobby occupies the mind in new ways. Television is not considered a hobby because there is no occupation of the mind. You are entertained through visual stimulus but that doesn't create new pathways in the brain. The mind could still be brooding over a problem at work even though the eyes are trained on the screen.
Finding a Hobby
Choosing a hobby may not be as easy as you think. It takes some research and planning to find just the one that suits your needs. Here are some suggestions.
* Choose something that interests you – Family and friends may make suggestions based on what they like, but your tastes may be different. Try their suggestions but don't be too disappointed if it doesn't work out. Take an inventory of your likes and dislikes to get you started.
* Discover your passions – If you have a desire to create, look into the arts. You may not be great at drawing, but your imagination may lead you to creative writing or building things. A long-time passion can be turned into a hobby with the right plan.
* Check the finances – A hobby shouldn't break the bank but should be relaxing. You might like sports, but something like learning how to fly may cost more than you can afford right now. Opt for a challenging sport closer to the ground that can be done for a fraction of the cost. Remember, you don't want your hobby to create a new set of worries in your life.
* Find time to engage in it – Set aside time for your hobby. This can be weekly or daily if the situations in your life call for it. Don't neglect other responsibilities to participate. You want to have a time that is not used for anything else to freely indulge your hobby.
Hobbies can enhance your life. Choose well so that you can reap many years of joy from it.
