Any regular activity that is done for leisure and gives you pleasure, is a hobby. It is not something you’d do to get paid for, but for, but it is something that will give you more happiness than money. Hobbies include a variety of activities; dancing, singing, playing instruments, art and crafts, reading, writing, sports, cooking etc. are some examples of which.

But Why are Hobbies Important?

There are many ways in which having a hobby or hobbies can help you every day.

1. Stress Release

After a long, tiring day at work, imagine coming home to do something you love, say cooking? Do you feel better? That is what following a hobby does. It gives you a sense of purpose, but also relaxes your mind and cools off your tensions and stress.

2. Personality Development

Hobbies boost your patience and self-esteem, and lower your worries and eradicate boredom. When you do something you love, you become a better version of yourself, and when you try something new, you develop a new version to yourself. You will always be exposed to newer ideas and perspectives. It may challenge you at times, but that will only help you grow.

3. Skill Development

When one follows their hobbies regularly, they are bound to get better at it. They will acquire new knowledge and skills related other field of their interests through this process. In today’s world, having skills only related to your profession are not good enough, as your expertise in other fields will make you stand out from the crowd. Standing out is what makes you interesting.

4. Social Life

Your hobby will connect you to like-minded people – people who have the same interests as you, thus increasing your social circle.

5. Keeps You Away from Wrongs

As they rightly say, “An idle mind is a devil’s playground”. It is possible for humans to engage in bad habits when in a state of boredom. That can be avoided by keeping oneself occupied, and there is nothing better than a hobby to achieve that. Moreover, your passion towards your hobby will help you regulate yourself. For instance, singers stay away from cigarettes because that effects their voice, dancers and sportspeople stay away from it because it reduces their stamina.

6. “Me” Time

At the end of the day, we all want time with ourselves. Not worry about work, responsibilities, and not be forced into anything, but do what we love the most. And that is what a hobby is all about.

How can One Cultivate we Cultivate our Hobbies?

Here are some ways in which you can nurture your hobby:

1. Choose what you’re already good at.
2. Be regular with your hobbies.
3. Once comfortable, try new things.
4. Have more than one hobby, so that you do not get bored of it.
5. Make sure you are happy with what you do.