Having a hobby may have seemed like an indulgence to some of us Type-A workaholics. But in the harsh light of 2020, a daily dose of escapism seems like a necessity.
Case in point: the collective joy around Nathan Apodaca, the viral sensation who posted a TikTok video of himself singing Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” as he rode a longboard to work.
The middle-aged dad’s favorite ways to take breaks — skateboarding and making TikToks — is a perfect illustration of another silver linings pandemic playbook entry: the rise of hobbies.
Giving time and attention to your enjoyment isn’t a luxury, but a smart way to give your physical and mental health a boost. While the point of a hobby is to have fun and relax, the byproducts are profound.
The Pluses of Pastimes
Research shows that leisure activities can improve your mood, decrease stress, and lower your heart rate. You’re also juicing your functional neuroplasticity, supporting better memory and longevity, and potentially providing protection from dementia later in life.
Depending on the hobby, positive impacts vary. Creative pursuits, like making art and music, can put you in a state of flow. When you’re immersed in a project, there’s no room for negative thoughts, worries, or fear.
Physical outlets, like gardening, hiking, and yoga, add physiological benefits, like better heart health. And there’s evidence that leisure activities can lower your blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index. (Although if you’re a baker, enjoying the fruits of your labor may counteract some of that.)
To optimize the benefits of a hobby, psychologist and creativity expert and author James C. Kaufman recommends pursuing pastimes that are challenging enough to be engaging, but not so hard that you give up quickly.
Ride on Your Hobby Horse
The great news about hobbies is that they’re an avocation, not a vocation. So who cares if all you can play on guitar is the chorus of “Wonderwall” or if your hydroponic garden is off to a slow start?
Compelling research by John Hopkins researchers Jeanine Parisi and Michelle Carlson shows that pursuing multiple pastimes can make you happier and healthier over time. According to Parisi:
By doing a variety of activities, you’ll expose your brain and body to different things. If you meditate, that may be good for stress reduction and relaxation. If you do some puzzles or reading or writing, that may be more cognitively stimulating. And, if you take walks, that is more physically engaging. By doing all of these, you’re really tapping into the whole brain and body.
So go ahead, take advantage of hobbies having their heyday. A good diversion goes a long way.
Your pandemic hobby might be doing more good than you know (American Heart Association News)
