Most parents are busy. We juggle work, kids, and a million other things. It can be tough to find time for ourselves, let alone time for a hobby.
But did you know that having hobbies is actually really good for your mental health and well-being?
In this blog post, we will discuss why parents should make time for hobbies and how they benefit our mental health.
Even if you think you’re too busy, there are plenty of hobbies that don’t require a lot of time or money! So read on to learn more about why you need a hobby and how it can improve your life.
Hobbies and mental health
Studies show that having hobbies can reduce stress. They also give us a sense of purpose and make us feel more fulfilled in our lives.
This is why it’s so important for parents to make time for their hobbies, even if they think they’re too busy or don’t have enough money.
Let’s take a look at some research about why you need a hobby.
In one study, researchers found that people who had regular hobbies were less likely than those without any interests outside work hours to be depressed (Stansfeld et al., 2003).
Another study showed that women who engaged regularly in artistic pursuits (such as painting) were significantly less anxious when faced with stressful situations than those who did participate during their leisure time (Ferguson, 2006).
So it’s clear that hobbies can have a positive impact on our mental health!
Hobbies reduce stress
As we mentioned earlier, one of the main benefits of having hobbies is that they reduce stress. When we’re stressed out, it can be tough to think straight or function properly.
Hobbies give us an outlet for our stress and allow us to relax. They also help us to forget about our problems for a little while and focus on something else.
This is why it’s so important for parents to make time for their hobbies, especially if they’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out.
If you don’t have any hobbies, now is the time to find one! There are plenty of things you can do that don’t require a lot of time or money.
Hobbies don’t have to be expensive
A lot of people think that they need to spend a lot of money on hobbies in order to enjoy them. This isn’t always the case, though.
There are plenty of free or cheap hobbies out there that can give you just as much satisfaction as more expensive ones.
For example, if you like spending time outdoors, going for walks, hikes, bike rides, etc.
Or maybe you’re into crafts? There are lots of affordable crafting supplies available at your local store.
If you enjoy writing, start a blog or write short stories.
If you like to game, set aside a bit of time when your kids are asleep or before they wake up to play a game. It can just be 15 minutes if that’s all you have!
The possibilities are endless. Just find something that interests you and go for it! You can always change your mind if the idea you picked first isn’t working out for you right now.
Monetize your hobbies (but only if you want or have to!)
Have you ever thought about making money from your hobbies? If so, why not try it? It’s a great way to make some extra cash while doing something that you love.
Note: Of course, not everything needs to be monetized and you can get a lot of personal satisfaction and fulfillment from just doing your thing without involving monetization.
Some ideas include selling arts and crafts on Etsy or eBay, writing eBooks (you can self-publish them through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing), taking photos for stock photo sites like Shutterstock or iStock Photo., and much more.
You could even start an online store where people can buy handmade items directly from you. The list goes on!
Just think about what interests you have and see if there are any ways that they could turn into revenue streams.
Making time for yourself and your hobbies models good habits for your kids
No matter what age your kids are, they can benefit from seeing you make time for your hobbies. Having hobbies is a simple way to create more fulfillment in our lives and chances are, you want your kids to do things they enjoy doing as adults as well.
When you practice your hobbies regularly, you’re showing your kids that it’s a good idea to make time for their own hobbies. If you struggle with the idea that having hobbies as a parent because you view it as selfish, try thinking about it from this angle. Would you like your kids to grow up and never make time for the things they love to do?
Modeling good self-care and making time for hobbies is beneficial for our kids and it’s part of mindful parenting. Parents should make time for hobbies!
Related reading: The Ultimate Guide to Mindful Parenting
Conclusion: why having hobbies is good for our mental health and well-being in general
Parents should make time for hobbies because they provide us with a sense of purpose and can reduce stress.
They also allow us to relax and forget about our problems for a little while. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, why not try picking up a new hobby?
Never feel bad for spending time for yourself. It’s incredibly difficult to be the best parent you can be if you don’t allow yourself a break here and there to indulge in an activity that brings you happiness.
There are plenty of things you can do that don’t require a lot of money or time. And who knows, you may even be able to monetize your hobby in the future if you choose to. Thanks for reading!
Liked this post? I’d really appreciate it if you shared it with a friend who needs a hobby in their life to give them a little encouragement.
