Zone Out for Hobby Happy
Owning a pet is a hobby with so many side benefits including exercise + affection.
Did you know that you can Choose Happy with a Hobby?
And that a hobby is a great way to switch-off and zone out? Which improves overall health + well-being!
Do you have a hobby? Did you know that having a hobby (or two) is good for you? Have you ever even thought about hobbies being necessary for happiness + health?
We live in such a fast-paced culture that so many of us don’t feel we have time to enjoy a hobby. We are so busy green-juicing, working-out, working, tweeting, facebooking and running errands that we don’t take time to slow down.
If you never slow down, you run out of creative juices and life becomes a chore.
So think about taking up a hobby, reinventing an old one and just taking time to enjoy being peaceful. Choose Happy!
This down-time allows you to stop thinking about a) what you are going to do next or b) work. And it allows you to focus your mind on one specific thing at a time.
Hey, don’t some people call that meditating? Oh yes…it’s that good for you!
So, let’s go ahead and I’ll share some ideas with you…
I like to knit. Now, it does have a purpose and I do get a sense of satisfaction from completing items. But during the knitting process I get to slow down, be and focus on my knitting. My own little Zen world of contemplation.
I like to keep at least two projects on the go at a time. One will be easy, and that sometimes means I slip a movie into the dvd player and double-up my mindless zone out downtime. And then I like a pattern with a twist; a lacy shawl or baby blanket, a cabled Celtic sweater. That keeps me focused on my knitting and nothing else can get into my brain or I lose count + bugger it up!
I love the variety of yarns and I adore the textures and colors. It’s a very kinesthetic experience.
And it also allows me the pleasure of going to the Yarn Store with fellow knitters, sharing in our finds + our victories as we make the yarn submit to our bidding.
Another of my joys is (aka zone out hobby) is cooking. I take deep delight in creating nurturing + nourishing meals to share with loved ones.
And I like to indoor garden (not so keen on the big outdoors because the local critters tend to eat the flowers).
What about you? What simple pleasures are you indulging in? I hope I’ve inspired you to find something to make into a hobby and to start having downtime. Allow your creative self to blossom or you’ll simply become bored with life’s routines.
And hubby? He has his lawn … teehee!
Yummy post — I feel better after just reading it and thinking about my “happy place”: the yoga mat. Flowing through the postures, breathing, letting thoughts come and go…..ahhhh! I always feel refreshed and renewed afterward.
Me too … love my yoga mat. Even thinking about it works! Thank you for sharing. xox
Oh Jacqueline you remember our session? Well, you said something that struck me about my yoga, and it’s so true now I can see it: when I was at my day job yoga and teaching it was kind of a hobby. Now that’s it’s a way of sustaining myself it’s turned into a job and I have a hard time getting on my mat for myself. You were right: to find my yoga back, I need to stop teaching it for a while! I don’t want to fall out of love with something that is so crucial and central to my life, I want to find the joy back. And make it part work in a different way, part play 🙂
Wonderful realization Emmanuelle. I’m so Happy that I could be of help. You will fall in love with your yoga practice again! xox
Love this! I had the wacky idea to start crocheting a few years ago and I find that to be my most relaxing time. (note to self: need to get back to it!!!) For example, I had the worst headache one day and had taken advil – nothing was helping. I decided to crochet and an hour later, my headache was GONE. 🙂 The power of meditation.
That’s an awesome awareness Jessica. Yes, you need to build it into your life. How about scheduling some time in your daily/weekly calender…Me Time! Let me know how that goes. xox
I had so many more hobbies when I first moved into my house.. was actively creative in many ways and really loved that. I still have some but they have become less regular and I know they’ve been crowded out by business/entrepreneurial things and that saddens me- as the daughter of artists/creatives I know that one of my happiest places is in the super absorbed creative flow..love your heart-shaped crabcake Jacqueline!
Many blessings,
lisa/intuitivebody
Love that ‘super absorbed creative flow’ … just saying it makes me feel lighter! Thanks for sharing Lisa…take time to recharge your batteries and find that creative spark!
awesome pointers here! I love to cook too-cooking and yoga are my unwinding activities!
Here it is again… the…slow down…enjoy life message.. LOVE… Two hobbies that I have not made time for (but I will now) are making soap and lotion…I love knowing that what I am cleaning my body with has been made with only the ingredients I choose and painting… I have a table in my office that has three little paintings mid way done…it’s something for my de-stress breaks.
Making soap and lotions, how fabulous! My youngest daughter was really into that when she was a tween. We must make it happen again soon. Thanks for sharing.
My summer hobby is gardening…now that we’re moving into winter I’m wanting to get back into sewing and make some quilts, if I can stay off FB long enough to do that, I know I’ll enjoy every minute.
Wow, so you make quilts…that’s awesome. Love the idea of sleeping under a home-made quilt…all that love and passion going into it. Yes, stop FB now and get going on your next one.
Love your ideas! Aside from having fun, it makes me feel
relaxed and loosened up! Hobbies are great stress relievers too… I find it entertaining
so I always have time for it! xoxo