Working with a hobby is good for the body, mind, and soul. Here are just some of the benefits of taking up a hobby.
Because a hobby can vary from the very physical, such as rock climbing or ice skating, to the very sedentary, such as needlework or reading, the physical benefits can vary greatly as well.
Positive physical results can include increased muscular strength, improved cardiovascular rates, improved flexibility and balance and increased endurance.
Engaging in a pleasant hobby can take your mind off worries or pressing problems. Working with assorted fabrics, colors, and textures can stimulate your creative juices. Taking a class to learn a new hobby encourages group activities and decreases loneliness and boredom.
Whether your hobby is active or not, trying a new skill will help improve and develop self worth and give a sense of accomplishment. Sticking with the project helps increase attention span and improve decision-making skills. Anything that helps relieve and reduce stress is simply worth doing.
According to some books, people with physical, developmental and psychiatric disabilities as well as children and older adults, even people with addictions, can experience positive physical outcomes, improve communication and social skills, and improve cognitive functioning and social support from participating in pleasant activities such as hobbies.
Children who participate in a hobby can see benefits in socialization and problem-solving skills, along with an increased attention span comes a reduction in impatience.
Small and large motor skills can improve as well as strength and coordination.
Older adults also benefit from participating in a hobby. Most health care settings, retirement centers, assisting living settings and senior centers include a therapeutic recreation specialist to work with older adults. Interacting in hobbies or other pleasant activities result in improved physical health such as decreased blood pressure, increased mobility and range of motion and decreased pain.
This type of activity can also improve the mind indicated by improved memory, increased attention span, increased awareness and alertness.
Try to find a hobby that fulfills an interest you had as a child, then go for it. Don’t give up when you do not master a technique immediately. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the learning experience. Your rewards in improving your body, mind and soul will surely be worth the effort.
