4 Big Benefits of Having a Hobby

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Did you have a hobby when you were a kid? If so, you probably look back fondly at the memories you made spending time practicing your hobby. Unfortunately, being an adult means that you have lots more responsibilities and demands on your time. This usually spells the end of any spare time to indulge in your hobby. However, having an extra interest in life offers many benefits. Aside from the enjoyment having a hobby brings, it can also benefit your mental health and wellbeing. 

Here are just some of the ways that a hobby can help enrich your life:

A Chance to Keep Learning
From collecting coins to dancing, there are so many different hobbies to choose from. Whether you want a hobby that is active or a calmer hobby, you will find that having a hobby is an excellent way to keep learning. 

Some hobbies provide multiple benefits, for example, learning a musical instrument. Learning an instrument is a great way to gain a new skill; it can also help you to learn to read music and improve your concentration too. Another significant benefit of mastering an instrument such as a keyboard or guitar is that it gives you the option to join a band. If learning the guitar sounds like your thing, check out this video of Reverend Guitars NAMM 2019 for some inspiration. Who knows, you could have a whole new career as a rock star ahead of you!

Meet New People
If each day you get up, go to work, and then sit down to binge on a box set each evening, then you may miss out on opportunities to meet new people. 

Taking up a hobby is a fantastic way to meet new people. There are just so many opportunities to get social when you have an interest. Depending on your chosen hobby, there will be clubs that you can join, classes to attend, and events to go to.

The great thing about having a hobby is that it provides a ready-made community of like-minded people sharing the same interests as you.

Better Work/Life Balance
If work stress is bringing you down, then a hobby may be just what you need. Having a hobby allows you to enter a state of flow, which can have a calming effect on your mind. 

An interest enables you to have an extra facet to your life, where you can escape the pressures of working and focus your attention on something enjoyable instead.

Improve Your Career
According to Facebook co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg, having a hobby can demonstrate to prospective employers that you have drive and passion. If having an outside interest really does make you more attractive to potential employers, then that’s just an extra reason to go ahead and take up a hobby.

A hobby can also help you to develop specialist skills, such as photography, antique restoration, or crafts, for example. As your skills develop even further, you could transform your hobby into a lucrative side hustle.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors