Have you ever thought why you need to have a hobby? However, if you already have a hobby, how much benefit do you get from it?

In today’s fast-paced society, many people experience stress on a daily basis. Stress affects us mentally, physically and emotionally. One of the best ways to deal with stress is to have a hobby. The reasons are that hobbies allow us the ability to unleash our creativity, increase our self-esteem, engage in an activity we are passionate about, and give us a sense of pleasure and accomplishment.

Let’s think about these benefits individually… let’s unleash our creativity. “Creativity is exciting, energizing, grounded and timeless. When we create, time stands still and space expands; it is then, in that place of thought and action, that we express our true selves.” This is a quote from Ilene Segalove and Paul Bob Velick’s book, “List Your Creative Self.” I love this quote because it expresses the concept of creativity and the importance of it.

Let’s see the second benefit, increase our self-esteem. Studies have shown a relationship between low self-esteem, crime, and violence. Therefore, anything that increases self-esteem can help us individually and as a society. Having a good self-esteem allows us to try new things and allows us to make better decisions.

The next benefit is to participate in an activity that we are passionate about. How often do we get involved in an activity that we are really passionate about? There are certain aspects of my job that I enjoy, but I can’t say I’m passionate about it. And do you really love those housework? The only time I can wholeheartedly say that I am involved in an activity that I am passionate about is doing things with my family or through my chosen hobby.

Now for the last benefit, it gives us a sense of pleasure and accomplishment. Once again, most of our day is filled with activities that we must perform to meet the necessities of life. It is important to do activities that give us pleasure and a sense of accomplishment. We can also improve current skills or learn new ones through our hobby.

Hobbies take us hours away from daily worries and allow us to make lasting friendships with like-minded people. So the next time you’re getting ready to pursue your chosen hobby, remember and be grateful for the many benefits you get from your hobby.