| How do you spend your free time?
While watching hours of Netflix isn’t necessarily a bad thing (I’m currently hooked on Grey’s Anatomy), did you know that having a hobby can be immensely healing?
A hobby is a regular activity we do just for the pleasure of it, such as woodworking, gardening, knitting, painting, writing, etc. Sometimes a hobby turns into a passion. But either way, it’s something we do because we find the very process of doing it enjoyable.
Note: I don’t consider TV watching an ideal hobby because many programs, such as those with lots of drama, violence, etc., don’t lift the spirits, like a hands-on hobby typically does.The Healing Benefits of a Hobby
In a study published in The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, more than 3,500 knitters were surveyed after knitting, and 81 percent of respondents with depression reported feeling happy and more than half reported feeling “very happy.” This is because dopamine, the neurotransmitter known as our brain’s “feel-good” chemical, is released when we engage in pleasurable activities, such as crafting.*
There are several other reasons you might want to reignite your favorite hobby or take up new one, they include:
- When we engage in an activity we find pleasurable, our nervous system calms. When the nervous system calms, the body is more able to heal itself.
- Hobbies are engaging and when our mind is focused the hobby, the outer worlds fades and the cares of the day melt away for a time.
- Doing something we enjoy raises our vibration. If the day’s events have left us feeling frustrated or anxious, immersing ourselves in our favorite hobby helps us reconnect with feelings of contentment and pleasure. This move us up the vibrational scale. (In Power vs. Force by David Hawkins, frustration registers at 150, while neutrality and peace register higher up the vibrational scale at 250 and 600, respectively.)
- Engaging in our chosen hobby, whether it’s gardening, painting, puzzles, or woodworking feels good. And, ultimately, that’s what we’re all after. We just want to feel good.
I wish I could prescribe hobbies. I like to think of them as little vitamins of joy that feed the soul and lift our spirits.
I hope this helps you have a greater appreciation for your chosen hobby or inspires you to find a new one. What are your favorite hobbies? I enjoy writing, collaging, and painting. As you can see my cat Charlie likes to help, lol!
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