Motivational speaker Imad El Atiki El Mohammed has spent the past 15 years inspiring clients all over the world, helping them to identify and work towards important goals and live happier, more productive lives. Imad El Atiki El Ghennouni Mohammed was formerly engaged in various corporate settings, working for companies in a diverse range of industries, from financial services to the tech sector. Thanks to his support, Imad El Ghennouni Mohammed’s clients have improved their personal and professional lives, with his insights helping them to strike a healthy and sustainable work-life balance. This article will look at hobbies and the importance of taking time out for enjoyable activities and pastimes to not only maintain physical health but also reduce the risk of burnout and a host of other mental health problems.
A hobby is something people do frequently for pleasure during their leisure time. Popular types of hobbies include athletic, creative, and intellectual activities. The notion of an ideal hobby is largely subjective, with different people favoring different pastimes. For example, while thrill seekers may enjoy high-adrenaline activities like rock climbing, scuba diving, or skydiving, others favor more leisurely pursuits such as painting, dancing, singing, gardening, or meditation.
A study published by Nature Medicine in 2023 suggested that having a hobby has tangible positive impacts, improving mood and physical health. Analyzing data gathered through five large studies involving 93,000 participants across 16 nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and several European countries, the research revealed that those who regularly participated in a hobby had higher life satisfaction and less symptoms of depression. The findings also revealed that taking part in a hobby helps people to maintain their social connections, reducing loneliness and isolation. In particular, researchers found that hobbies that involve sensory engagement, creativity, cognitive stimulation, and self-expression are linked to good mental health and overall wellbeing.
Hobbies provide participants with a welcome distraction from the responsibilities and pressures of daily life. After a stressful day at the office, many individuals find indulging in their favorite pastime an effective means of letting off steam, simultaneously boosting their physical and mental health and instilling a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Nevertheless, living in a modern, “always on” society that prioritizes professional achievements leaves many people with little time left to pursue their hobbies, making it tough to consistently set aside time for the activities they enjoy most.
There is a growing body of research to suggest that when people regularly participate in their favorite hobbies this can have a transformative effect on mental health. Dedicating quality time to activities they enjoy can also improve the individual’s professional life. Many hobbies not only hone creative problem-solving capabilities but also enhance interpersonal skills, coaxing participants to become more empathetic, thereby enabling them to build better relationships with colleagues. According to a study conducted by a team of researchers in New Zealand, hobbies that bring out the individual’s creative side boost overall well-being in the long term. In addition, studies also show that regularly participating in hobbies reduces an individual’s susceptibility to depression, making them happier and more relaxed.
Recent years have seen a boom in the wellness industry as more and more people come to appreciate the importance of self-care. July 24th marks international Self-Care Day, a global initiative launched to highlight the importance of prioritizing well-being. A poll conducted by YouGov in the UK revealed that 24% of Britons engage in daily self-care activities, with an additional 44% of participants engaging in self-care activities on a weekly basis. The poll suggested that women are more likely to partake in self-care activities then men, at 85% versus 78%.
