When getting asked the question, “What do you do with your spare time?” is it a hard question to find an answer to? You might think to yourself, “what spare time?” Let’s be real, the work culture and incentive of being “a hustler” has been glorified in our society. Busy lives, working overtime, or taking care of yourself and family can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to find yourself wondering if you’ve lost all time for things that you enjoy. The hobbies that you once participated in may have slipped into the cracks while the business of life took over.
The phrase “work hard, play hard” is commonly used and incentivized. We work hard, but do you take the time to play hard too? This summer, take the challenge of allocating one hour per day for yourself. Reclaim your summer from the hustle and watch what the power of one hour can do. Use this hour to pick up a new hobby, try a new skill, or make time for an hour of self-care. One hour dedicated to trying new things will not only elevate your personal fulfillment but also help you discover new hobbies and activities.
Hobbies not only provide enjoyment to those participating in, but also a variety of physical and mental benefits. A research study by Harvard Health showed that individuals who had hobbies had better health, greater happiness, and more satisfaction with life. Hobbies can also help reduce stress, balance life, and prevent you from burning out.
Beyond providing enjoyment and stress relief, researchers also suggest that participating in hobbies during your leisure time can support processes of endocrine, immune, and central nervous systems. Your endocrine system consists of glands and tissues that secrete hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers that travel through your blood stream and instruct organs and tissues how to act. It regulates a vast list of different functions. Some of these include: sleep-wake cycles, mood and behavior, metabolism, and homeostasis.
Now the next question arises, how do I get started? Picking up new hobbies and dedicating an hour of time to yourself starts with reshaping your mindset from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this”. View this allotted hour as an investment rather than an inconvenience. Recognize that your personal time is valuable, it’s not something to push to the side. Having a hobby doesn’t just have to be a time filler, it can also turn into a passion.
The next step to take is revisiting a hobby that you once had or bringing it back to your childhood. There’s a good chance that what you used to enjoy in your childhood still sparks interest. If nothing from the past stands out to you, pay attention to what interests you. If you love the outdoors and nature, try hiking. If you find yourself gravitating towards music, try learning a new instrument. Lastly, find balance in your hobbies. Bounce between hobbies that are both mentally stimulating but also hobbies that are physically beneficial as well. Capitalize on your personal time.
Summertime is the perfect time to take advantage of the power of one hour. Longer and warmer days are full of opportunities to rediscover that hobby you once loved or discover something brand new. Whether you spend it exploring a new interest, revisiting an old passion, or simply taking care of yourself, that hour is an investment in your well-being. The power of one hour could be all it takes to reconnect with the parts of your identity that the hustle has pushed aside.