Engaging in a Pastime Carries More Significance Than Initially Perceived
Hobbies: The Secret Medicine for Your Mind and Body
🌟 Got that creative itch or just want to unwind? Don't brush off those craft projects or hobbies just yet! It seems these soulful activities are anything but fluff. In fact, they're packed with powerful health benefits that can transform your life. 🎨🍾
🌟 Emotional wellbeing coach, Dr. Jennifer Austin Leigh, emphasizes the importance of hobbies, "They're medicine; soulful tools that help us regulate our nervous systems, reclaim calm, and rediscover who we are beneath the noise of daily life."
🌟 To get a better understanding of the amazing benefits these quirky pastimes can offer, we spoke to mental health care experts and wellness coaches. Here's why you'll want to make some time for your hobbies stat! ⏰
- Jaclyn Spinelli, MBA, CPC, licensed psychotherapist and CEO at True Self Counselling
- Dr. Jennifer Austin Leigh, PsyD, award-winning best-selling author, emotional wellbeing coach, and author of Live Long, Be Happy: The Four Cornerstones of Well-Being
- Pat Bathurst, psychotherapist, LMFT at The Oasis Luxury Rehab
- Michelle Stantial, LPC-A, owner of Woodlands Haven Counseling
🌟 Stress Goes Bye-Bye
Licensed psychotherapist Jaclyn Spinelli assures us that hobbies like embroidery or woodworking activate our brains' reward systems and lower stress hormones. Even music, especially playing instruments, can decrease anxiety, regulate emotions, and stimulate crucial brain regions involved in pleasure and memory, according to Stantial.
🌟 Boost Your Self-Esteem
Mastering a new skill or craft can make us feel good about ourselves and give purpose to our lives. As marriage and family therapist Pat Bathurst points out, hobbies contribute significantly to an increased sense of self-esteem. Journaling is another perfect example – it provides emotional clarity and internal validation, especially for those with strong inner critics, says Spinelli.
🌟 Spread the Joy 🤩
Who says productivity should trump presence? Hobbies whisper a different truth: You're allowed to do something because it brings you joy. Joy, it turns out, is essential in a world that often overlooks it. Crafts like drawing or scrapbooking stimulate serotonin release, contributing to overall well-being.
🌟 Brain Health Bonus 🚀
Feeling burned out or suffering from brain fog? Engage in puzzle-solving activities like crosswords, Sudoku, or jigsaw puzzles to boost your neuroplasticity and memory retention. Plus, Stantial highlights that hobbies are great for promoting brain health since they challenge us to learn new things.
🌟 Relax, Unwind, and Find Inner Peace 🧘♀️
Hobbies provide moments of mindfulness and help us become more present. Participate in tactile crafts like crochet or painting, grounding you and inviting sensory regulation and focus. The horrible internal dialogue can fade as these hobbies offer distraction, contemplation, and a path to rediscovering yourself.
🌟 Strengthening Social Connections 🤝
Hobbies offer magical bonding moments with friends and acquaintances, such as sitting around a table working on a puzzle or cooking together. These shared experiences help build community and improve your overall health by boosting your social connections.
🌟 Healing and Coping with Trauma 💔
Artistic hobbies may offer solace for healing and self-expression, particularly during trying times. Spinelli explains, "Hobbies can be a bridge between chaos and calm for many, especially those who've spent their lives taking care of others, serving as a path back to themselves."
🌟 Embrace Your Inner artists 🎨🧩криamine 🎭
Craft projects, hobbies, and creative activities come in all shapes and sizes, so there's something for everyone. Get out there and explore what sparks joy in your life. Your future self – and your mental health – will thank you! 💖✨🌟
Martha Stewart, known for her living and lifestyle brand, emphasizes the importance of hobbies in promoting wellness and home-and-garden activities. Engaging in hobbies such as horticulture, crafting, or baking can provide emotional benefits, enhance self-esteem, offer social connections, and even help in coping with trauma. Therefore, it's crucial to make time for hobbies to improve overall well-being and discover hidden talents.
