How hobbies keep you healthy

What do you do in your spare time? Do you sit around and watch TV or stare into space? Or do you do something that keeps your mind or body active in some way?

In other words, do you have a hobby?

I hope so, because hobbies are good for. They engage you in different ways that your typical work or other obligations. A hobby often teaches you something new. Hobbies can also relieve stress and help you cope with other less-than-satisfactory areas of your life.

What is a hobby, exactly?

According to Wikipedia, a hobby is a spare-time recreational pursuit. Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward.

How does a hobby help your health?

I found a Web site that addresses this very question. According to the article, hobbies can engage you physically and mentally, and people who have a hobby are generally healthier. Hobbies that require expertise are more satisfying because developing an expertise in something requires commitment, and commitment results in a higher level of engagement.

The ideal hobby engages us on three levels: first as a diversion that helps pass the time, second as a passion where we become truly engaged in doing something we love, and third as something that creates a sense of purpose.

Who doesn’t need that?

You may be wondering if I have a hobby. Yes, I do. I have several.

I love to read. Every night before I go to bed, I wind down with a good book. I do some gardening. I have a project underway in my backyard, for which I have drawn up a diagram and made specific plans. As I’ve mentioned before, I like to exercise. I go to the gym twice a week and take a yoga class once a week. I also enjoy writing and blogging, hence the reason I started Healthy Life. I also enjoy roleplaying. I have a couple of imaginary characters that I play in fantasy settings.

My husband also likes to read, and he goes to the gym with me. He runs the roleplaying game in which I play. In addition, he is learning Latin.

What does all this mean? We are keeping ourselves active and engaged. Reading and roleplaying keep our minds active and spark our imaginations. Exercise keeps our bodies strong and in shape. Gardening makes me feel good to cultivate something living outside of myself. There’s something about digging around in the dirt, connecting with the earth and making something beautiful out of my backyard space.

When I’ve had a bad day at work, or when I just need something to do, these hobbies fill in the gap. You might or might not enjoy your career, but it takes more than that to have a healthy, fulfilling life. Hobbies give me that, and they can give you that, too.

So, what are your hobbies? I’d like to know!