Why are Hobbies Good for Mental Health?
Hobbies make you feel good. They help you relax and unwind from your day, with the added benefit of lowering your stress levels and blood pressure. Hobbies can help ease existing depression symptoms and decrease your risk of developing depression by up to 30%.
Ways that Hobbies Improve Your Mental Health:
- Improve Neuroplasticity: According to StatPearls, neuroplasticity describes our brain’s ability to adapt its activity and structure by forming and using new synaptic connections. You can think of your brain as a big map — there are many ways to get to your destination, and sometimes you have to change which way you’re going. Hobbies and habits require you to form new neural pathways, which provide new reference points for the brain to recognize.
- Reduce Stress: Many people use hobbies to decompress from stressful days. When you do something you like, you’re allowing your body to relax and cortisol levels to drop, which lowers your heart rate and blood pressure while your mood increases.
- Help Self-Esteem: Everyone likes to complete things. It brings a sense of accomplishment that feels great. As you master your hobby more and more, your confidence and self-esteem build.
Everyone is busy. It’s nearly impossible not to feel like you’re bouncing from one thing to the next. But when you feel like you don’t have time to dedicate to your hobbies, remember, they’re good for you.
Which Hobbies are the Best for Boosting Mental Health?
There is no one reigning champ of hobbies for mental health. We’re all different, so we will choose different things to help us relax. What works for you may not yield the same results for someone else. It’s about finding the right hobby that you find value in.
Here are some common options people use to elevate their mental health and why it works.
1. Journaling
Regularly journaling is a powerful tool that allows you to work through feelings and reflect on events you experience. It’s often recommended for those with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. You don’t have to write a novel; research has shown that journaling for as little as 15 minutes daily can help reduce anxiety.
2. Cooking
Everyone knows that eating can be therapeutic. But so can cooking. Besides the benefits that can affect your physical health, like being in control of the ingredients, there are several reasons why cooking is one of the best hobbies for mental health. It offers a level of emotional relief that other hobbies may not.
3. Spending Time in Nature
Hobbies that involve going outside — like hiking or gardening — can be great for mental health. Studies show that being in sunlight can help boost the body’s serotonin production. Serotonin is the naturally occurring neurotransmitter that plays a part in regulating our moods, according to Harvard Health Publishing. It’s called the "feel-good" chemical for a reason. When our body produces the right amount of serotonin, we feel happy and calm. Lower levels of serotonin are associated with mood disorders like depression.
4. Art
When I say art, I’m talking about everything creative you can think of — painting, drawing, sculpting, embroidery, and woodworking. The list goes on. No matter where your hobbies fall in the lineup, you get tangible mental health benefits from them.
5. Music
You get a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from playing an instrument. Making something feels good, and your body responds to those positive feelings. But if you’re not musically inclined, don’t worry; listening to music also derives similar benefits by lowering stress and anxiety levels. It also can boost your mood.
6. Reading
Reading is the ultimate form of escapism. You can jump into a whole new world and live a thousand different lives — or as many books as you can read. It also happens to be a great hobby if you have anxiety. Reading can help distract you from negative or intrusive thinking you may be experiencing. It also can help lower your heart rate and help you relax.
7. Strategy Games
Strategy games and puzzles — like chess, crosswords, and sudoku — are other hobbies that are good for your mental health. Studies have found that strategy games improve brain functioning, problem-solving skills, and memory. Puzzle games also can help those with ADHD hone their concentration.
8. Exercise
Whether you work out alone or participate in team sports, exercise is one of the best hobbies to have — both physically and mentally. When we exercise, our brains flood with endorphins that boost mood, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Conclusion:
As we welcome the new season, it’s a great reminder to prioritize our mental health. Hobbies are a great way to do just that. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, boost your mood, or improve your self-esteem, there’s a hobby out there for you.
FAQs:
Q: What are some of the best hobbies for mental health?
A: Some of the best hobbies for mental health include journaling, cooking, spending time in nature, art, music, reading, strategy games, and exercise.
Q: Can I have more than one hobby?
A: Absolutely! Having multiple hobbies can help keep your mental health strong and prevent boredom.
Q: What if I’m not good at a particular hobby?
A: It’s not about being good at it; it’s about enjoying the process and benefits that come with it.
Q: Can I start a hobby anytime?
A: Yes! There’s no better time than the present to start a new hobby.
