Why we should have more hobbies

In today’s complex world where social expectations to perform, combined with financial pressure, can lead us down the path of deteriorating mental health. Toss in some social isolation, which seems to be an almost mandatory function of our society, stress and responsibility overload seem almost inevitable.

While I wish I could give you a one-size-fits-all solution to eliminate your woes, this isn’t possible. Humans are far too unique and varied for such a thing to be doable. This is our blessing and curse, for everything that makes us thrive and shine, it is met with equal amounts of complexity.

One thing I can offer you is an idea, one that will reassure you that you can find something that will help relieve your stress and give you a greater sense of value and satisfaction. The best part is that it can be suited to your circumstance, made bespoke for you and what you need. This is achievable because you are the one who will build the solution for yourself.

Of course, you can tell from the title that I’m referring to a hobby. At first, you might think to roll your eyes, yet another blog telling me that if I just start a hobby, all my worries will disappear. I know there are endless articles on the internet that say as much or tell you to turn your hobby into a “Side hustle,” a very creative way of writing “get a second job.” This article is not that. Nor will I lie to you and tell you it’s a cure-all; what I will tell you is a hobby can be a light in the night, a safe place you can stop by for a while, one you can relax in for a bit, so you are recharged enough to go back into the world. A hobby is just one of the many anchor points you can use to ground yourself; it’s a tool for you to make use of, so with all the preamble done, let me tell you the benefits of these things and why you should add it to your belt.

The 3RD Place Hobby

First off, have you ever heard of a ‘third Place’? Everyone has one, or at least you should. For the longest time, people always had access to a third place, which is described as “an informal public gathering place”. The reason it’s called ‘third place’ is because your ‘first place’ is your home, with your ‘second place’ being your place of work. Essentially, it is the place you spend most of your time when you’re not at home or work; you might already have a third place and not think about it. Somewhere like a gym, cafe or community centre can be a third place.

But why do you need one, and what does it have to do with a hobby? Well, a third place, by its nature of being readily accessible to the public, naturally fosters more cohesive communities and strengthens your feelings of being a part of your community. Its relationship to hobbies also promotes a connection through community. While some hobbies can be solo experiences, the desire to share the experience with someone else who also enjoys the same hobby can be deeply desirable, for example, being part of a book club.

The connection between a hobby and a third place is that of community. By becoming part of something bigger than yourself, you can develop closer ties with those around you and form attachments to confidants who can help you navigate life’s struggles. This aspect of hobbies helps combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

The Feel Goods of Hobbies

It’s time to talk about the feel-good chemicals in hobbies (nothing synthetic, just natural hormones from your brain). When you regularly indulge in a hobby or activity you find enjoyable, your body releases endorphins. The reaction your brain goes through when it’s soaking in endorphins helps elevate your mood and gives you a sense of fulfilment and joy. So, in many ways, having a productive hobby like gardening, crafting, or playing an instrument can make you feel more satisfied in life.

A fun little author’s note here: I’ve noticed this in my own life: most of my career has revolved around Graphic Design. Something that can be frustrating in that kind of role is having to both be creative and work towards a client’s goals. Sometimes, your creativity and what the client wants don’t blend together, so while you might produce work that the client likes, it might not be what you wanted to make or like to look at, which can leave you feeling unfulfilled in your work. That’s why I like to draw and make stuff in my spare time. Having little projects, I can do for myself helps fill that hole of dissatisfaction in my professional role.

Hobbies and the wellbeing link.

Different hobbies can have other positive impacts on your well-being. Depending on the hobby, this can net you different results (this is also to say that you shouldn’t feel limited to one hobby. You can have as many as you like). For example, physical hobbies like hiking, dancing, or any sport in general will benefit your physical and mental health. When you keep your body active, the physical activity releases endorphins, which I stated before are natural mood lifters.

All hobbies, however, when shared in a social setting, help foster connections, personal satisfaction, stress relief, and opportunities for growth. Whether it’s through creative expression, physical activity, or intellectual stimulation, hobbies can enrich your life. A hobby reminds you of the importance of taking care of yourself and can play a role in maintaining your mental health when the world is demanding too much of you.

It’s January, often seen as a time to start something new. We have a whole year in front of us, so why not start it off with a new beginning and find a hobby that speaks to you.

Why not share your journey with us? Throughout this month we a running a new beginnings campaign on our socials celebrating what we as a community have decided to kick off 2025 with. We want to hear your story so be sure to tag Inclusion Tree in your posts.