Do you think having hobbies can benefit your mental health?

[freelancermaria]

I strongly believe that having one or two hobbies can greatly benefit mental health. During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, when my mental health declined, I started a new hobby: coloring in adult coloring books. This activity helped reduce my stress levels, improved my mood, and enhanced my self-esteem. Do you think hobbies can positively impact mental health? If so, what are some of your favorite hobbies?

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I have a lot of hobbies.

I hike, bike, kayak, camp, and spelunk. Spelunking for those that don't know is caving. We squeeze through wild caves and explore the underworld!

I also love forums (obviously), blogging, and making websites.

Video editing, photography, and programming, too!

I like to paint, draw, and garden.

I occasionally chase storms and I maintain a daily report for cocorahs.org.

 

[gwolf666]

definitely yes, in fact a person without hobbies I don't think is very right in the head, everyone but absolutely everyone should have hobbies

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I feel like if I didn't have my hobbies, I'd get bored and waste my life watching TV or eating a lot and getting out of shape.

I don't think I'd go back to harmful vices, though, like smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol. Quitting those things really made me feel so much younger and that feeling is a vice all on its own.

But at the end of the day, my hobbies are my anti-depressants. But so is my family, too.