Five Reasons You Should Start a New Hobby
26th November 2018
We’ve all got those hobbies we never quite got around to trying. Perhaps we’re scared of looking foolish, or maybe it’s been placed on the back burner one too many times. Today, we are sharing our five reasons to bump that ‘I’ll get around to it one day’ activity to the top of your to do list.
1. Allow yourself a break from your screens
We are all guilty of it, being surgically attached to our phones and computers. Checking them while we eat, scrolling through social media as soon as we wake up, even absentmindedly checking the screen whilst having a conversation. In fact, adults spend an average of 10 hours and 39 minutes each day using electronic devices - that’s an incredible 43% of your day.
However, this screen reliance comes at a cost, with higher amounts of daily screen time impairing brain structure and disrupting good quality sleep patterns. By learning a new skill or hobby you give your eyes and your brain valuable time away from your electronics – those messages can wait!
2. Give your mood a boost
Truly engaging ourselves in an activity project or skill allows us to focus on the now, distracting us from the hustle and bustle of daily life as we immerse ourselves in the task at hand. But don’t just take our word for it!
Studies have shown that engaging in a hobby such as music, art, crafts, or home repairs can stimulate the neurological system, enhancing health and well-being. Indeed, a recent study found, that those who engage in art experience a reduction in stress and anxiety levels, and an increase in positive emotions.
3. Make like-minded friends
In our everyday lives, it’s rare to meet people with similar interests to ourselves. By engaging in learning a new hobby or skill, you allow yourself the opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life, spend social time productively, and learn from other people’s experiences and expertise.
4. Improve your work performance
Our brains are a living, breathing, organism. When we learn new skills, new connections are formed in our brains, improving our muscle memory, focus, and self-discipline. As well as reducing our stress levels, we develop our ability to learn, and our creativity to put this into practice.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that a recent study at San Francisco university found that those who regularly engage in a creative hobby perform between 15 to 30% better at work.
5. Treat yourself and your loved ones with your new skills
As the festive season beckons yet again, it can be tricky to think of that elusive unique present for that hard to buy for loved one. By learning a new skill, hobby, or craft, you can gift them with something that nobody else could.
Whether it’s cooking a delicious meal, creating cosy knitwear in their favourite colours, or catching a beautiful snap of their favourite place, your new hobby can provide you with the skills to give fabulous personalised presents – and save a bit of money in the process!
Start your new hobby at our College
Not sure how to take the first step in starting your new hobby? Here at Paston College, we have a range of creative, technical, and practical leisure courses for you to explore.
The best part? All of our courses are taught by industry professionals, who ensure your new hobby has the best possible start.
Explore our wide range of courses here