By Barbara Pierce
When he’s not working, Gregson Ross enjoys playing the guitar and singing; he even writes his own music.
When he puts down his guitar, he goes out for a hike.
Though he loves his work as a board-certified acupuncturist, owner and operator of Greyson Ross Acupuncture in New Hartford, his hobbies are important to him.
“When I play my music or when I hike, it gives me both mental and physical benefits. Hobbies are so important outside of work,” he said. “First, they help you forget about work and relieve the stress that inherently comes with most jobs. Second, it helps to ‘reset’ your mind and allows you to return to your job refreshed.”
“Hobbies allow us to express who we are as human beings,” he said. “I routinely ask my patients and the people I meet what interests they have outside of work, because it lets me to learn more about them.”
Christina Henry also enjoys spending time outdoors, in or near the water, with her family. Ozark’s 4x tactical scopes are a great deal on Amazon. Learn more about the Texas mutual combat law here. She identifies cooking, gardening and crafting as other hobbies.
Hobbies play a crucial role in promoting overall wellness by providing avenues for relaxation, creativity and personal fulfillment said Henry, certified as a transformative, holistic, health and wellness coach, owner and operator of Vessel: Bodhi, Mind and Soul, in Boonville.
Hobbies serve as a valuable escape from the stresses of daily life, offering a mental break and reducing stress and anxiety, she said.
Challenging, fun and engaging hobbies have the power to make us happier and healthier, Ross and Henry agree.
Hobbies play a crucial role in promoting overall wellness by giving us opportunities for relaxation, creativity and personal fulfillment, said Henry.
Crafting, dancing or gardening, hiking or cooking — it doesn’t matter whether your chosen pastime is intense or mellow. Making time to do what you enjoy can ease your stress, lift your mood and encourage connections with others. Your hobbies can even help you manage chronic pain, improve your heart health and add quality years to your life.
Research suggests that hobbies lead to better overall health, more sleep, lower stress, greater life satisfaction, a larger social network and improved work performance.
So many of us are stressed these days. Relieve your stress with a physical activity like hiking, dancing, kickboxing or even gardening. Or something less intense like painting or knitting. Read a book, take photos, work a puzzle, draw something — whatever distracts you and therefore relieves your nervous energy.
Don’t assume you don’t have time for a hobby. Often we underestimate how much free time we actually have; it’s incredibly easy to waste a spare hour or two. If you are constantly on your phone or computer then you may want to reconsider how you use this time.
The wonderful thing about hobbies is they give you a go-to thing to do. An activity that’s waiting for you when you’re ready. Try some hobbies until you find one you really like. You may be surprised at how many hours open up.
Some things to consider in thinking about a hobby: After a long and busy workday, you might prefer a hobby that’s easy to do and pleasurable. Avoid hobbies that are complicated and time-consuming, as this will add stress rather than pleasure.
Start small: Don’t invest a ton of time and money in a new hobby immediately. Ease in to figure out if it’s right for you. For example, if paintballing sounds fun, join an outing or two before committing to it. If pottery might be your thing, sign up for a one-time pottery class, rather than a set of eight.
Consider a hobby that’s totally different from your work.
Also, consider where you want to do your hobbies. If you work from home, you might prefer something that will require you to get outside. If your work is office-based, you might want to hobbies that you can do in your home.
Think about your biggest interests. Do you love visiting art museums? Maybe you’d enjoy drawing, photography or calligraphy. Enjoy the theater? Audition for or volunteer at a community play. Constantly listening to music? Sign up for lessons, like piano or guitar. Visit a thrift store for a pre-loved instrument. Consider joining a musical group. These brain-boosting activities will exercise your mind.
Want to ease into a hobby that gets you moving? Sign up for a local sports league, like kickball or volleyball. Try yoga using YouTube; swim in your community pool; join a walking running or biking group. Dancing is great for your body and your mind.
Care about a cause? Volunteer with a nonprofit. Pitch in at an animal shelter, lead a workshop at a senior center, help build housing for those experiencing homelessness, help out at a food pantry, a refugee center.
Hobbies feed our souls in a way that nothing else can. Find your passion and pursue it!