Why You Should Make Time for Hobbies Outside Work

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Hobbies can relieve stress, spark inspiration and make you feel more fulfilled. Your hobby could become a form of self-care, as it contributes significantly to good mental health. Finding time in your busy schedule to engage in hobbies can be challenging, but they are worth the effort.

By finding something you’re passionate about aside from your work, you can spend time nurturing your interests and having fun. Here are some reasons why having a hobby is beneficial to you and your health.

How Hobbies Relieve Stress

Dedicating time to doing something you love can do wonders for your mental health and physical health according to this dentist who does teeth whitening in Redwood City. When you have a hobby, the time you spend doing it can increase your self-confidence and reduce stress.

A Utah State University study showed cortisol levels decreased in 75% of participants from making some form of art. No prior experience is necessary — just start creating and see where it takes you. Creative activities can improve your mood and enhance your overall well-being.

Hobbies that include physical activity are an added bonus. Physical activity lowers your stress levels and reduces blood pressure. Team hobbies can also have long-lasting positive effects. Individuals participating in team sports or group activities are less likely to experience stress, anxiety or depression. 

Turning Hobbies Into Side Hustles

How great would it be to earn some extra dollars by doing something you love that isn’t your work? Some side hustles could become your job, while others can add a little cash flow to your income. Either way, you’re doing something fun off the clock that could bring in some extra dough.

Sell Some Jewelry

If making jewelry is your hobby, try your hand at selling it. You can have fun setting up a little side business online or selling goods to your family and friends. You could also rent a booth at your local flea market.

If you don’t make your own jewelry but have a lot of it nonetheless, consider selling what you don’t wear anymore. Similarly, you could buy jewelry and try to flip it for some extra cash. Educate yourself on the jewelry lingo before trying to sell it and be prepared not to make market value off of a used piece. Pre-owned jewelry rarely sells for retail price. 

Sell Some Photos

Do you love taking photos as a hobby? Is photography a dream that you didn’t pursue? If so, consider selling your photos online to stock photo websites. These photos are used for blog purposes and can be an excellent way to showcase your talents.

You can get a lot of enjoyment out of taking photos and generating ideas for them. You could ask friends or family to pose for you or set up items to photograph. Landscape images are a joy to capture as well.

Sell Some Paintings

If you like to paint in your free time, you could be cashing in on those paintings. You might be surprised how much you can get for hand-painted canvases.

If you don’t paint, find someone who does and see if you can cash in on their hobby. They might not know how to market their work but are eager to sell. Become the middleman for them by buying their paintings and selling them for a profit.

Hobby Prospects

If you don’t already have a hobby or creative activity you enjoy doing outside of work, it might be hard to know where to begin looking for one. A good rule of thumb is to start by thinking about your past.

What’s something you loved doing as a child you might have lost along the way or tossed aside as you got older? Maybe you enjoyed singing, coloring or working with clay. You could pick those hobbies back up right where you left off. They might even be more fun as an adult.

Finding the right hobby that caters to your personality might take a little exploration. That journey is entirely normal. Instead of trying to find something completely new, try expanding on something you already know you have an interest in.

If you love to cook, perhaps you should take a cooking class or try out some new recipes. Those who enjoy dancing could consider signing up for Zumba or a hip-hop class. Extroverts who love to be social might find a class the perfect hobby. If you’re a fan of dressing up and getting creative, why not explore the world of cosplay? Delving into the realm of gothic clothing or even crafting a pirate costume can provide an exciting outlet for self-expression and imagination. If you are more introverted, reading or starting a collection might be a better fit.

Prioritize Your Hobbies

It is easy to get bogged down with daily life and forget to make time for yourself. Whether it’s self-care or time for what motivates you, it can be challenging to find when you can sit down and do it. You might even feel like you have no time to spare. It’s common to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day.

Try considering time from a different perspective to make your hobbies more of a priority. Think of it in terms of weeks rather than days. If you know how to look for extra time, you can be more open to finding it. There are 168 hours in a week. With eight hours of sleep at night and 40 hours spent on work, 72 hours are remaining.

That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? Are there 72 hours leftover every week? It doesn’t seem possible. It can seem like your energy’s gone when you factor in your daily chores or cooking dinner. However, you probably have a lot more time than you think. While you still have to do some errands, try setting a timer to give yourself breaks between work and play.

Having a Hobby Is Good for Your Soul

While you need to work and keep up with household chores, you also need time in your life dedicated to fun. Passion can fuel your inner creativity and lead to personal fulfillment. Find something you feel passionate about and make time for it. Try incorporating tools like meal prep and delegating chores to make room in your schedule for hobbies that are good for your soul.