One way to spend your spare time and have fun is having a hobby – be it artistic, music, gardening or simply watching your favorite movies and shows even learning new things. One way or another there are a plethora of hobbies that may greatly interest you whether it be, something you can do alone or as a group with your family or friends.
Spending time doing activities that you enjoy greatly benefit your mental health and well- being. There have been numerous researches about the correlation between hobbies and mental health and wellbeing that arrive to the same conclusion.
In a study published in 2009 by American Psychosomatic Society concluded that enjoyable leisure activities, taken in the aggregate, are associated with psychosocial and physical measures relevant for health and well-being. The study further found that engaging in hobbies associated to lower blood pressure and perceptions of better physical function.
Another more recent study focused in Japan was published by the Japan Geriatrics Society. This study focused on the elderly people living in metropolitan areas. The findings show that leisure activity moderates poor mental health in older adults living alone. Accordingly, interventions should encourage older adults living alone to engage in leisure activity to improve their mental health.
A Finnish study was also made in the year 2021 which focused on people who are living alone. Past research has consistently identified living alone as a risk factor for poor mental health while evidence on the positive dimension(s) of mental health has been scarce. The study found that in terms of leisure participation, contact-keeping with friends or family is equally strongly associated with positive mental health as many other activities, including physical activity in natural environments and attending cultural/sports and religious events. As studies looking at positive mental health in the population of single occupancy households have been scarce, replications in Finland and in other countries are needed to verify these relationships. Given the increased rates of people living alone around Europe and their greater prevalence of mental health issues in comparison to those not living alone, the mental well-being of people living alone and its promotion is an increasingly-important public health matter.
In conclusion, having a hobby does greatly affect your emotional, mental and physical well-being. It has been proven by multiple studies to have positive effects and thus should be tried by everyone. It doesn’t matter what hobby it is as long as it serves the purpose of uplifting you mood. If ever you get bored try out new things and keep yourself engaged.
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