How having a hobby can be linked to happiness and well-being

Routine can quickly become boring, especially with the little time you can carve out in the week after fulfilling work and school obligations. The truth is a hobby can be very usefulnot only to face the day differently and accompany it with productive activities, but also to reduce stress and promote physical and mental relaxation.

Hobbies are activities that you do in your spare time and free time. Could be hobbies such as painting, as well as hobbies such as sports, music or art, among many others. Among their main benefits, these activities allow you to relieve stress, increase self-esteem, happiness and well-being. Furthermore, depending on one’s hobby, one can also develop new skills, such as learning languages.

Not having a hobby or giving yourself time outside of the overwhelming weekly routine it can lead to loneliness, which at the same time increases the risk of anxiety, dementia, depression and heart disease.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Recreational activities They allow us to reduce cognitive deterioration and promote muscular, cardiorespiratory and bone functions, especially in people over the age of 65.

In this sense, the Institute of Psychology of Barcelona explains that “having a hobby is advantageous our health for a multitude of things, but one of the most important benefits is that it helps us to significantly disconnect from our daily lives. When we practice a hobby we are dedicating a part of our time to some activities that are unrelated or different from the usual worries and problems that our routine can generate, such as anxiety.”

“Hobbies can be very varied: playing a sport, collecting stamps, painting, doing crosswords or word searches. Many people might think that some of them are a waste of time. However, this is not the case. No matter the hobby Whatever whatever it is, it doesn’t have to involve movement or be an overly creative activity to be beneficial,” he adds.

5 types of hobbies related to happiness and well-being

The site specializing in physical and mental well-being “Mejor con Salud” has published a list of activities that can be carried out and which are linked to happiness and well-being. It should be noted that this will depend solely on each person’s taste and pleasure, but they work as general ideas for starting a hobby:

• Artistic hobbies: Through different media, such as painting, photography, music, writing, theater or dance, we can express our creativity. These hobbies help us develop imagination, sensitivity and communication.
• Sports hobbies: Sports-related hobbies are physical activities that promote overall health and well-being. Practicing sports allows us to stay active, prevent pathologies, strengthen our defenses and release endorphins. We also improve our coordination, endurance and confidence.
• Intellectual hobbies: Hobbies that challenge our minds have a profound impact on emotional well-being. Tackling intellectual challenges can be a refuge from everyday pressures, giving us a moment of concentration and meditation.
• Social hobbies: Social interaction involves making connections and sharing with people who have similar interests or hobbies to us. Connecting with others not only improves our communication skills and fosters deeper empathy, but also increases self-esteem and confidence.
• Personal hobbies: These personal activities foster a deeper connection with our inner being, helping us tune into who we are and our aspirations. Taking a moment for introspection and self-care builds self-esteem.