The Benefits of a Hobby

A hobby is a personal activity that you enjoy outside of work, school, or other responsibilities. It can be as simple as a walk in the park or as complex as painting a masterpiece, but whatever it is, it can provide a healthy source of stress relief and happiness. Hobbies can also help you build self-esteem by providing a sense of accomplishment. The benefits of a hobby will vary depending on the type of hobby and how much time you devote to it.

Improves your work-life balance: Hobbies keep you away from screens and remind you that you’re not just a “worker” — you’re also an artist, gardener, boxer, or jogger (or whatever else makes you happy). It builds resilience against depression: Studies show that people who participate in hobbies are more resilient to depression because they seek pleasure and fulfillment in activities outside of work.

It helps you structure your time: The unstructured hours after work are dangerous because they’re easy to get sucked into social media loops or other harmful habits like binge-watching Netflix or playing video games. Hobbies make it easier to pull yourself out of those ruts because they have a set schedule.

It helps you learn new skills: Many hobbies offer a learning curve, which can teach you valuable life lessons. For example, learning a new language can give you a greater understanding of other cultures, and taking a Masterclass course in singing, ukulele, guitar, production, or drumming can improve your creativity.