Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
No Result
View All Result
Low Cost Easy To Learn Creative Craft Hobbies

Image from https://craftora.info/wp-content/uploads/prison-break-origami-tribute-to-prison-break-escape-is-just-the-begining-flickr.jpg

The Mental Health Benefits Of Having Hobbies

Nereah Obimbo by Nereah Obimbo
27 October 2022
in Mental Wellness
Reading Time: 4 mins read
1 1
0
2
SHARES
10
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsApp

One of the key facets of capitalist society is an obsession with efficiency and productivity. There’s this consistent pressure to be doing something productive at all times. Productive is almost always synonymous with financially beneficial. Things are only productive and worthwhile to the extent that they result in material gain. For this reason, many people cast their hobbies aside or succumb to the pressure to monetize what they enjoy so that it no longer feels like a waste of time. That’s a lie. Things are not beneficial only when they bring material rewards. Things can just be beneficial and enjoyable simply because they are. Here are the mental health benefits of hobbies.

Improves overall well-being

One study found that people who regularly take time to just engage in activities simply for the pleasure of it are less likely to feel low. Participating in such activities increases the person’s overall sense of well-being. This is especially true for people who take time to participate in creative activities. The feelings of positivity and upliftment last a few days after engaging in the hobby or activity.

Reduced stress

Participating in hobbies purely for the enjoyment of it has been shown to reduce stress levels. One study found that the cortisol levels of participants dropped by 75% after making art. Cortisol is the main hormone involved in stress. When you’re triggered e.g. when you perceive a threat like a dog barking at you, the adrenal glands are triggered, and cortisol is released. Art dropping cortisol levels isn’t just limited to people with artistic skills. Stress reduction was registered regardless of prior experience making art. Engaging in hobbies minimizes the impact of chronic stress and pandemic fatigue.

Decrease depression and anxiety

Hobbies have been linked to lowering the levels of depression and to some extent preventing it altogether. Taking time to engage in activities that bring you pleasure and joy can also ease your anxiety. One way that hobbies decrease depression and anxiety is because of the brain’s reward system. When you take part in an activity that you enjoy, the brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical.

Promotes overall health

For people whose hobbies are physical activities, for example, riding a bike, it can help reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure and heart rate. Outdoor activities lead to an improved mood and better focus.

Improves relationships

Hobbies can be a great way to socialize. Taking part in cooking classes, dance classes and reading groups can be a great way to meet new people and make friends. Research shows that adults who participate in some kind of team sport are less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and stress.

Improves productivity

Ironically, taking time out to engage in activities that are generally considered a waste of time actually improves productivity. One study found that an off-work creative outlet improved employees’ problem-solving during work. Hobbies also challenge people to learn new skills which can be transferred to work.

Hobbies linked to improved mental health include gardening, reading, creating art, writing, knitting, making and listening to music, curating a collection, playing with a pet, exercising, meditation, taking part in sports, and more. If you’re able to, set a little time aside just to engage in an activity purely for the pleasure of it outside of the pressure to be financially productive.

Here are some hobbies you should try and some of their benefits.

Check out

Low Cost Easy To Learn Creative Craft Hobbies

Lifestyle: Mental Health Benefits Of Doodling And Why You Should Start Doing It

6 Reasons Why Colouring Is Good For Everyone, Including Adults

5 Reasons Why Baking Is Good For You

4 Reasons Why You Should Dance Alone In Your Room

Health And Fitness: Physical And Mental Benefits Of Swimming

8 Ways To Get Your Kids Interested In Gardening

Games You Should Play With Your Children And Their Benefits

Travel: 8 Adventure Sports You Should Try Out In Kenya

Share1Tweet1SendSharePin
Previous Post

All You Need To Know About Period Sex

Next Post

Nairobi: 10 Interesting Date Ideas Below 3000 Kenya Shillings

Nereah Obimbo

Nereah Obimbo

Writer. Youtuber. Filmmaker. Abolitionist. Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.

Next Post
7 Fun Things To Do In Nairobi

Nairobi: 10 Interesting Date Ideas Below 3000 Kenya Shillings

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Why sexual aftercare is important

Sex: 6 Tips To Improve Your Love Life

2 January 2023
100
Inclusion Is At The Heart Of Meta’s AI’s No Language Left Behind Which Can Translate 55 African Languages

Inclusion Is At The Heart Of Meta’s AI’s No Language Left Behind Which Can Translate 55 African Languages

12 July 2022
82

Popular Stories

  • Book Review: Things I Will Tell My Daughter By Joan Thatiah

    656 shares
    Share 262 Tweet 164
  • Relationships And A Tolerable Level Of Permanent Unhappiness

    1560 shares
    Share 622 Tweet 389
  • Musician Crystal Asige Lost Her Sight In Her Early 20s But She Has Not Let That Stop Her From Pursuing Her Dreams

    2305 shares
    Share 922 Tweet 576
  • Her Husband Was The Perfect Man, Perfect But Boring. An Affair Lead to Complications And Unveiled Hidden Secrets

    348 shares
    Share 139 Tweet 87
  • Top 8 Most Popular Streets In The UK

    14 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4

Potentash Blog

Potentash is an award-winning lifestyle blog. We publish lifestyle content that intersects with health, women, beauty, travel, business, relationships, finances and entertainment.

Explore

  • The Singlehood Series
  • From Stairs To Ramps
  • Man Around Nairobi
  • Pearls And Heels
  • Personal Finance
  • Food + Beverage
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Reviews

Get the Potentash Newsletter

  • Newsletter Archive
  • Subscribe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima