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The Power of Hobbies

A sign with a white background that says Hobby with colored crayons around it.

Definition of Hobby

Hobby is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation” (n.d.). Another definition from the Oxford Dictionary is “an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure” (n.d.). The origin of hobby comes from late Middle English hobyn, hoby, from pet forms of a small horse or pony to finally referring to a toy horse - hobbyhorse. The affiliation with a toy horse used during play to have fun morphed into later being called a hobby, something done as a favorite pastime for pleasure (https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/hobby).



Small child kneeling down with a hat on, reddish pink sweater and rain boots holding a camera.

Power of Hobbies

If you google hobbies, you can find a plethora of ideas listed, but the key takeaway from the definition is that it is for pleasure done during leisure time. Most people are so busy with their work, family, chores, and so on that they forget to engage in what brings them joy during their leisure time as they age. We may not be able to go back to our childhood when we engaged in hours of play, finding happiness in our fun activities but carving out a little time each week to slow down, relax, and engage in some leisure time doing our favorite hobby can improve mental, emotional, physical and psychological well-being (Elsden et al., 2022).



Herbs to be planted with pink watering can and trowel and work gloves.

Gardening & Yard Work Hobbies

This hobby can offer a double benefit of enjoyment and exercise. According to the Harvard Heart Letter (2024), gardening and yard work are a great way to meet part or all of the U.S. physical activity guidelines of 150- minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise. The article mentions a study done in 2023 and published in The Lancet Planetary Health that participants in the gardening group increased their physical activity by 42 minutes per week, increased their fiber intact, and reported decreased stress and anxiety levels. What a great way to combine the physical and emotional benefits of a hobby. Whether you like planting flowers or vegetables and fruits, you will reap multiple benefits (Szioch, 2024).



Tin post with flowers in them and a watering can.

You can find a lot of helpful websites and YouTube videos on gardening.

Know your gardening zone, and don't forget to ask your local gardening center for advice. Also, if you are new to gardening, start small and expand each year.




A yellow and black bird on a branch with a blurred background.

Bird Watching Hobby

I read a touching article in Psychology Today from the author of Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching. Tammah Watts accounts how her chronic health conditions and having to care for her mother when she fell ill were taking a toll on her. One day, while looking out her window, she saw a little yellow bird and, another time, a hummingbird while standing on her balcony. These moments made her connect with them and offered a peaceful state while enjoying nature from her home. This new hope and joy she felt from these two encounters made her realize that even from her house, she could appreciate the birds. She joined a local Audubon chapter and connected with others who enjoyed bird-watching. She found in this hobby a sense of healing and resilience. Check out her book which can be purchased on several different websites such as https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Looking-Up-Powerful-Birdwatching-ebook/dp/B0998GGWCK, or https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676097/keep-looking-up-by-tammah-watts/. 


A blue and yellow bird on a branch.

The following are some birding-watching websites to explore if this interests you. 






Two sets of underwater scuba tanks sitting by water.

Scuba Diving Hobby

A fun note on how a hobby and desire to enjoy their leisure time turned into more. Jacques Cousteau was a French naval officer, oceanographer, filmmaker, and author. He co-invented the first successful open-circuit self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, the Auqa-lung. His enjoyment of exploring life in the water and caves required a device to stay underwater longer and at greater depths. The Auqa-lung started what many enjoy as a hobby of scuba diving today. (https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/features/jacque).


A scuba divers underwater with orange fish and some coral.



If you don't think you can scuba dive, try snorkeling. You can still enjoy being outside and view the beautiful life under the water without completely submerging yourself.






White cup and saucer with a spoon on top and an open book.

Is your hobby reading?

A study by Levin et al. (2022) found that college students who read for leisure (recreational reading) reported decreased psychological distress over the school year. Something as easy as reading your favorite genres could help with mental health. If you are a reader, what is your favorite literary genre? If you don't like to read, try a book on tape or audiobook. It is a great way to enjoy all the benefits of reading while someone reads you the book.



A paint brush and five different colors of paint.


One Last Positive Note on The Power of Hobbies

Don’t limit yourself in what you do during your leisure/hobby time. Hobbies can be done indoors and outdoors. Another study that looked at adults aged 65 or older from 16 countries, including the U.S., European countries, and Japan, found that those engaged in a hobby reported positive comments about health, happiness, and life satisfaction. These 93,000 participants were followed for eight years. Although the authors noted that further research is needed, people from different countries did show favorable results (Godman, 2024). So why not find that leisure time and re-engage with your hobby or start a new one. Life is too short not to take some time to enjoy something that brings you happiness. Don't forget to let us know what your favorite hobby or hobbies are. We'd love to hear from you.



References


Elsden, E., Bu, F., Fancourt, D., & Wan Mak, H. (2022). Frequency of leisure activity engagement and health functioning over four years: A population-based study amongst middle-aged adults. BMC Public Health, 22(1275), 1 - 12. 


Fagan, A. (2023). One question for Tammah Watts: The bird that changed my life. Psychology Today, 56(3), 48.


Godman, H. (2024). Having a hobby tied to happiness and well-being: News brief. Harvard Health Letter. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being


Jacques Cousteau


Levin, S.L., Cherrier, S., Holding, A.C. & Koestner, R. (2022). For the love of reading: Recreational reading reduces psychological distress in college students and autonomous motivation is the key. Journal of American College Heatlh, 70(1), pg 158-164. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1728280


Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.) Meaning of hobby. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hobby



Szioch, R. (2024). Gardening and yard work: Exercise with a purpose. The Harvard Health Publication. www.health.harvard.edu





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