Find a new hobby

22 March 2017 by
First published: 1 April 2017

In the mood for a change? Here’s why you should find a new hobby.

Kids are constantly encouraged to take up new hobbies and broaden their horizons. But for some reason that enthusiasm for trying new things dissipates in adulthood. Why is that? Starting a new hobby can have an extremely positive effect on your life, giving you time to de-stress, to rediscover lost passions and to stumble upon new ones. If you need more convincing, read on for why you should find a new hobby.

Take a break

Everyone needs time out to try something new. Humans are creatures of habit, which is why we need to try even harder to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. If you feel like your life has become slightly too repetitive, it may be a good idea to break out of your normal routine by taking up a new hobby. Whether you’d like to try something entirely new, such as learning how to play an instrument, or you’d like to pick up an old pastime, such as playing netball, starting a new hobby is a fantastic way to escape from everyday life.

Connect with others

You may have chosen to take up a new hobby to enjoy some quality alone time, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the variety of people that you’ll meet along the way. Discovering that other people share your passions is a great foundation on which to build friendships. You’ll find yourself getting to know people that you may not have the chance of meeting otherwise. On top of that, finding yourself in the company of others who enjoy your hobby as much as you do will motivate you to keep it up.

Be present

Do you ever find yourself drifting off when you’re in the middle of a task, wistfully daydreaming of doing something else? By taking up a hobby that you’re genuinely interested in, you’ll find it far easier to focus on what you’re doing. Staying present in the moment isn’t difficult when you’re doing an activity that you really enjoy. If you have a short attention span and you’re unable to concentrate on a single thing at a time, don’t let yourself succumb to the distractions around you. Find a hobby that you find engaging and give it a go.

Health benefits

Starting a new hobby can be beneficial for both your body and your mind. Participating in an activity that you find fun can help to reduce your risk of stress. If your mind is at ease, then this will also have a calming effect on your body. You’ll soon notice yourself becoming less tense and loosening up while your mind focuses on the activity at hand. Whether you decide to take up a high-intensity activity such as boxing or a soothing one such as yoga, you’ll be doing your overall wellbeing a whole lot of good.

Let go

Any stresses that you’re holding on to, whether it’s from your job, relationships or just your general state of being, finding a new hobby will allow you to let it go. Giving yourself just a small portion of time to focus on a single activity and forget about everything else going on in your life is a wise course of action that will benefit you in the long run.