Doctor says hobbies make us happier

Doctor says hobbies make us happier

By Julie Schimmelpfennig
GateHouse News Service
Wed Apr 27, 2011, 01:03 PM EDT

The old adage that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy is one that we should pay attention to, according to experts.
When one area of life has more emphasis than another, problems can arise. So we need the balance of work and play. The ‘play’ part of the adage can involve engaging in a hobby.
According to Dr. Joy Miller of Joy Miller and Associates, a counseling and wellness services company in Peoria, Ill., “hobbies offer individuals physically and mentally healthy outlets to improve well-being and happiness. Participation in a hobby has the opportunity to assist with creative expression, increase relaxation, build confidence, increase self-esteem, build patience and focusing.”
Hobbies can also be beneficial for mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Hobbies can help people connect with others, which can diminish feelings of isolation and aloneness.
“The socialization and bonding from activities, such as clubs, travel groups, attending classes, etc., have opened participants’ worlds to connections, and studies show it leads to longer life and better health,” Miller said. “Studies have also shown that cancer survivors do better related to recovery and remission when utilizing hobbies to increase their well-being.”
Participating in a hobby can be a great tool for stress management by clearing one’s mind and helping one relax.
“Whether you learn a new computer program, start scrapbooking or just start reading a good book, the act of engaging in a hobby has been found to increase your serotonin levels (the feel-good chemical that is made in your brain) and exercises your brain in a healthy workout. The stimulation of the brain enhances your happiness ratio and increases your psychological health,” said Miller.
It can also lessen memory loss.
Miller said, “A Mayo Clinic study of 1,321 participants showed that having a hobby can actually lessen memory loss. The study illustrated that those who read, enjoyed a craft or played on the computer lowered their memory loss by 30 percent to 50 percent.
“Another Mayo Clinic study showed that those who watch less than one hour of TV (compared with seven hours of TV a day) and utilized time doing a hobby of choice had 50 percent less memory loss. It seems an active mind creates health and well-being at a profound rate,” said Miller.
A hobby can involve creating something, being physically active like participating in sports, or unwinding by playing an instrument. To find a hobby, think about what makes you happy and what you enjoy doing. Take time to reflect on past jobs you enjoyed and things you liked in school.
Allyson Darling, an eHow.com contributor, encourages people to make a list of any hobby you would consider, even if it seems unusual.
“I thought about what I enjoyed as a child. When I was younger, in my teens and 20s, I really liked bowling. I hadn’t bowled in at least 20 years, but I recently picked it up again. Now, I’m in love with the game, and you can find me hiding out at bowling alleys all the time. But, for some of us, engaging in a new hobby might take some time,” Miller said.
After making the list of possibilities, decide which you can realistically pursue. You may enjoy a seasonal hobby, such as gardening, which leaves time for other hobbies.
If you are hesitating about beginning a new hobby, start small. And if you are considering taking on an expensive hobby, like photography, experts recommend taking it slow — try attending a lecture or taking a class, buy an inexpensive camera, and then decide if it is something you’d like to further pursue.
Don’t give up too quickly, though; many people find a sense of satisfaction in seeing their progress and improvement, so a new hobby can become very rewarding.
“Try on hobbies like you would an outfit,” Miller advised. “Start with something small and build your confidence. Just try something for the pure joy of it. You don’t have to be an expert or make the hobby into a ‘job.’
“Whether an adolescent or an adult, the advice is the same: Just try new things, and see what feels good to you. The goal is to experience joy, happiness and glee. So try writing, ceramics, photography, yoga, sculpting, bird-watching, sewing or acting. The only thing that is holding you back is you!” Miller said.
Hobbies aren’t only beneficial for adults. Children can also reap the benefits of having a hobby. Keep in mind children tend to have shorter attention spans than adults, so their hobbies should be geared toward their age level.
“No 6-year-old will play golf for four hours, but then most adults can’t play in a sandbox for more than 10 minutes,” Miller said. “Help a child find something related to what they love doing. If they like coloring and drawing, then maybe enroll in an age-appropriate art class. The key is to allow the child to try something they enjoy and not what the parent believes they will like, and definitely not something the parent thinks they should enjoy. Allow children to experiment with choices and see what they like.”
For people of any age, hobbies should be something that does not create anxiety but rather creates pleasure and allows enjoyment. Otherwise, your hobby can also become a stressor in your life, which takes the fun out of it.
“A hobby can be something that is done alone, which is great for those of us who are always fixing others and need time to heal ourselves, or done with others, which is great for those who tend to be shy,” Miller said.
“Remember that a hobby can be a mechanism for us to bring out our deep passion and creativity. It can be a great addition to your mental health regime. In fact, the addition of a hobby can be a wonderful stimulant to happiness, vitality and making your life more ambitious,” Miller said.

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