The Surprising Benefits of Hobbies for Young Professionals
Who said your career has to be all about climbing the corporate ladder? In fact, your hobbies can play a big role in helping you rise to the top - in work and in life.
In today's hyper-competitive workforce, young professionals are finding that their first career moves are resulting in high levels of burnout.
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that nearly 80% of adults report experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, or burnout in the past few years. The ongoing stress from the COVID-19 pandemic has only helped to make those feelings worse.
The symptoms of severe stress and burnout - including feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and a lack of accomplishment - can have serious consequences for both our physical and mental health. If left unchecked, burnout can lead to anxiety, depression, and even substance abuse.
So, what can young professionals do to prevent burnout? Jump online and you'll find several options - workout, find a group of friends who share your interests, start eating better, etc. But there's one solution that's often overlooked: hobbies.
That's right, hobbies! Pursuing interests outside of work can seem like a luxury when you're trying to establish yourself in your career. But hobbies can actually offer a number of benefits that help to improve our work-life balance and prevent burnout.
The Power of Hobbies
Our hobbies have often taken a backseat to our careers, but that doesn't mean they're unimportant. In fact, hobbies can be a powerful tool for young professionals. Here's a look at some of the benefits:
1. They Alleviate Stress
When we're constantly juggling work demands, family responsibilities, and social obligations, it's no wonder that we feel stressed out. That stress, when allowed to continue without treatment, can lead to lower mental acuity, weight gain, irritability, and more.
Hobbies can help to reduce stress by providing a much-needed outlet for our pent-up energy and emotions. When we're feeling stressed, hobbies can offer a welcome distraction and help us to relax and recharge.
2. They Can Improve Our Mood
Young, career-minded individuals often report feeling that they must devote all of their waking time to their job in order to be successful. But this mentality can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Hobbies can help to improve our mood by providing a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction. When we're engaged in activities that we enjoy, we release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals can help to alleviate symptoms of depression and make us feel happier.
3. They Boost Our Productivity
It might seem counterintuitive, but taking time away from work to pursue our hobbies can actually make us more productive when we're on the clock. That's because hobbies can help to improve our focus and concentration.
When we're constantly bombarded with work-related tasks, it can be difficult to focus on any one thing. But when we have a hobby that we're passionate about, we can direct our full attention to that activity and block out distractions. This improved focus can help us to be more productive at work.
4. They Promote Creativity
In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, it's easy to get caught up in the rat race and forget to tap into our creative side. But hobbies can help to promote creativity by giving us the time and space to explore new ideas.
When we're engaged in creative activities, we often have to think outside the box and come up with new solutions to problems. This type of thinking can help to spark new ideas and improve our problem-solving skills. In turn, this improved creativity can benefit us in our careers.
5. They Build Your Confidence
Hobbies can also help to build our confidence by giving us a sense of mastery and competence. When we're constantly striving to improve our skills in our hobby, we often feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. This boost in confidence can carry over into other areas of our lives, including our careers.
Tips on Finding and Maintaining Healthy Hobbies
If you're not sure where to start, here are a few tips on finding and maintaining healthy hobbies:
1. Know Why You Are Feeling Stressed
The first step is to identify the sources of your stress. Once you know what's causing your stress, you can look for hobbies that will help to alleviate those specific stressors.
For instance, if you're feeling stressed about your job, you might look for a hobby that helps you to relax and recharge, such as yoga or meditation.
Or if your day is spent staring at a computer screen, you might look for a hobby that gets you outside and active, such as hiking or gardening.
2. Make Time for Your Hobbies
It’s crucial to make time for your hobbies, even if it means sacrificing some of your work time. Dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to your hobby, and try to find a time that works best for you.
If you have trouble carving out time for your hobby, try getting up 30 minutes earlier or using your lunch break to pursue your interests. Schedule a meeting with yourself on your calendar, so others know that this time is off-limits.
3. Set Some Ground Rules
If you're worried about getting too invested in your hobby and letting it interfere with your work, set some ground rules for yourself.
For instance, you might only allow yourself to work on your hobby during certain hours of the day. Or you might limit how much money you're willing to spend on your hobby.
By setting these boundaries, you can ensure that your hobby doesn't become a source of stress.
4. Seek Out Social Activities
One of the best ways to maintain a healthy hobby is to make it social. Join a club or group that shares your interests, or find a buddy to hobby with. Not only will this help you to stay motivated, but it can also provide some much-needed social interaction.
5. Take a Class
If you're having trouble getting started with a new hobby, consider taking a class. This can help you to learn the basics and meet other people with similar interests. Once you've mastered the basics, you can branch out and explore your interests on your own.
When Hobbies Aren't Enough
Developing healthy hobbies can help to improve our overall well-being by providing a sense of balance in our lives. When we have hobbies that we're passionate about, we can direct our full attention to that activity and block out distractions.
This improved focus can help us to be more productive in other areas of our lives. In addition, hobbies can help to improve our creativity, confidence, and social interactions. By making time for our hobbies, we can ensure that we live a well-rounded and healthy life.
However, sometimes our hobbies aren't enough to combat the effects of stress. If you find that your hobbies are no longer providing the relief they once did, it might be time to seek out professional help.
Please reach out to me if you're struggling to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression. In my practice, I have worked with young professionals and college students who feel overwhelmed by their daily demands. Together, we can explore the causes of your stress and develop a plan to help you feel better.
Through a combination of skilled psychotherapy and life coaching services, I can help you walk through your unique challenges and build the life you want to live. If you're ready to start, please contact me today to schedule a consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!
Eileen Wynne has her PhD in clinical social work and is a certified life coach. Her psychotherapy services help college students overcome anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges so they can thrive in school and beyond. Visit her website to learn more about her services and schedule a free consultation.
