In the rush of everyday life, we often forget to pause and engage in activities that bring us joy – that being hobbies. Whether creative, active or mindful, these activities offer a way to reconnect with ourselves, unwind and find happiness in small moments. They’re more than just pastimes – they’re an essential part of fulfilling life.
Why Hobbies make us happy
Engaging in hobbies scientifically improves mental wellbeing. When doing something we enjoy our brains release dopamine, which is a “feel good” neurotransmitter, giving us a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Hobbies also help reduce stress by providing an escape from daily worries, allowing us to focus on something we love.
Categories of hobbies
- Creative: Painting, writing, photography, music. Creative hobbies give us a space to express emotions, tell stories and explore our imaginations.
- Active: Hiking, dancing, yoga, sports. Boosts endorphins, reducing stress and keeping us fit and healthy. See my previous post on why hiking and getting some time outside can boost your mood
- Social: Board games, book clubs, gardening clubs or team sports. These foster connections with like-minded people – sharing laughter or deep discussions with others.
- Mindful: Journelling, meditation, puzzles or knitting. Help us slow down, reflect and enjoy the present moment.
What are mine?
As someone with chronic pain, I have a large range of hobbies depending on what I’m able to do at the time. When I can’t move, I like to paint, crochet or do some graphic designs. If I’m able to be out and about I enjoy photography, trying different sports or hiking.
My biggest hobby of the last 3 months has been this blog! I’ve loved writing every other week and putting something out into the world. Watching the stats each week has been so interesting and making edits to make this website run better has been such an eye-opening experience.
How to find the right one for you
If you’re unsure where to start, begin by revisiting things you were interested in when you were younger or what you loved doing before life got busy? Try different activities without pressure, and remember that hobbies don’t have to be productive to be meaningful. The key is to engage in something that brings joy, no matter how simple.
Speaking with friends or family to see what they do is also quite helpful if you want to try something without going alone.
Finding Hidden Happiness in Hobbies
The real hidden happiness in hobbies lies in the small moments. The feeling of turning the pages in a book and being so engrossed in a book its like the whole world melts away, or the joy in finishing your first knitting project or painting. These seemingly ordinary details hold immense happiness when we take the time to notice them.
Hobbies remind us that joy isn’t just found in the grand achievements but in the everyday things we do purely for the love of it. So pick up that paintbrush, go for that walk or start that puzzle…
Hello! I hope you’re having a great day. Good luck 🙂