The COVID-19 Pandemic has forced the entire world to impose restrictions and go into complete lockdown. Although this move is in the best interest of public wellbeing, it has taken a toll on people’s mental health as they are unable to go out or meet people. Taking out time to do things you enjoy and love can benefit you in more ways than one. Research indicates that having a hobby helps to better overall mental health and lowers stress levels, anxiety & depression. Not only that, pursuing a hobby enables you to hone or develop a skill.
Hobbies are a great way to unwind from the routine and rejuvenate your mind. Here are some health benefits of taking time out to pursue your hobby.
Stress Reduction:
Ever since the beginning of 2020, most of us have been working from home. That doesn’t take away the fact that in the past year, the workload has increased. This is one of the primary reasons for increased stress. Hence finding time to pursue a hobby is a great thing to do. Its already established that pursuing a hobby helps you to unwind from your daily routine. This also helps in clearing your mind. Often, in our free time, we end up watching videos or just passing our time doing absolutely nothing. Instead, finding something you love to do would certainly make you feel happier, more engaged, energetic & relaxed.
Hobbies could be of various forms; it could be dancing, singing, playing a musical instrument, reading, painting, exercising, cooking, etc.
Thanks to technology, today, finding a guru or a teacher for a hobby is as simple as going online without having to step out. For example, suppose you wish to take up dancing. In that case, you could easily find Online Dance Classes, or if you want to learn a musical instrument or singing, you could find Online Singing Classes or Music Instrument Teachers Online.
Boosts Moods:
Hobbies are known to elevate one’s mood. Creative hobbies like painting, playing music, sketching, singing, dancing uplift your mood. Taking up a hobby of this sort has a positive effect on a person’s overall mental health. A hobby like dancing can also help you in getting fit. Engaging in creative activities releases dopamine, which is the happy hormone, making you feel positive.
Sense of Accomplishment:
Certain hobbies where you learn something new helps you in feeling a certain sense of fulfilment and accomplishment. Learning to sing a new song or mastering a track on a guitar or any musical instrument, or learning a new dance step that you have been working on for a while gives you a feeling of achievement. Making you feel satisfied, elevating your mood, and helping you stay positive.
Bond with Others:
Group activities and online group classes can help you bond with others and make friends. There are several online group classes today to help you develop a hobby and hone a skill. You can today enrol for group Online Guitar classes, Online Piano Classes, Online Cooking Classes, Online Dance Classes, etc., to not only pursue your hobby but you can also meet with like-minded individuals and grow you’re your social circle.
Now that we have established that pursuing hobbies has a positive effect on mental health. There is no better time than now to think about where your interest lies and run after it.