Hobby yourself into good health: The secret to joy, wellness and longevity

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Hobby yourself into good health: The secret to joy, wellness and longevity
 A woman pulling golden beets from dirt in a communal urban garden. (Courtesy/iStock)

Nearly everyone has some sort of hobby or other. A hobby is an activity that you do regularly, mostly during your leisure time, and for pleasure. Hobbies come in different types and, include gardening, walking, watching movies, just chilling, or whatever else catches your fancy.

Hobbies have less to do with a specific activity, and more to do with the act of having one that is enjoyable. What may not be immediately apparent is that your hobby can positively contribute to your health.

Mental well-being can be influenced by having a hobby. Any regular and desirable activity that brings joy and satisfaction can significantly reduce stress levels. Breaking from daily routines and chores and engaging in activities that encourage creativity stimulates your brain, and may even improve your cognitive functions.

Simply reading a book, or a magazine as a hobby enhances your neural connections and has been linked to lower rates of cognitive decline in the elderly. Incorporating a hobby into your routine can serve as a form of meditation, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the present moment. This mindfulness can lead to better emotional regulation and a more positive outlook on life.

Physical health can also be enhanced by hobbies. Think of gardening, dancing or hiking. The physicality involved promotes cardiovascular health, muscle strength and stability. All this while you are enjoying a leisurely activity. Those with hobbies, such as painting, knitting or playing musical instruments require high levels of concentration. This enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Hobbies tend not to be solitary activities, and mostly involve social interactions with others who enjoy similar activities. This inevitably creates active social connections. Those who maintain such connections suffer less from loneliness and isolation. The medical benefits of active social connections are overwhelming and range from mental to physical health benefits. The very well connected live longer and healthier lifespans.

Finding hobbies you love is also a long-term investment in yourself. A large study about hobbies in 2023 found that hobbyists self-reported better health, happiness, and life satisfaction. Depending on the specific leisure activities, there were positive psychological effects, biological effects, social effects, and/or behavioural effects. You, therefore, have many reasons to find a hobby if you don’t have one already.

A word of caution. You only engage in a hobby because you enjoy it. If it is in any way linked to productivity, career or monetisation, it stops being a hobby and becomes something else.

Dr Murage is a Consultant Gynecologist and Fertility Specialist. [email protected]

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