Last weekend on stage, I pretended to be a living pot and sense of chili during a show about finding love in quick service restaurants with my improv class. Lots of laughs for it, and it was also an opportunity to do an activity I love with a group of good friends.
I’ve been doing improv for over a year now and I’m currently performing for two teams in Chicago. It’s a fun hobby, in addition to my other hobbies: woodworking, bodybuilding, and making electronic dance music.
Obviously, I’m a hobbyist, but even a creative hobby can bring more energy, joy and productive energy to life.
What creative hobbies do for your brain
People wonder how they can add something more to their lives. But the most popular hobby of Americans is watching TV (the average American adult spends about 4 hours a day watching TV). Unfortunately, high levels of television viewing, especially for people who only watch, are associated with it sit down, increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods, solitudeand so on.
As a therapist, I have noticed that many patients feel that their busy lives do not include what is about them. They feel that they are going back and forth between work commitments, quarrels with their siblings and their negative mood. your talk.
Productive hobbies—hobbies where you actively create something rather than passively consume it—help us develop who we are by identifying and pursuing our interests and developing skills in something. It is no coincidence that fundamental skill is the basis of it self-esteem. Even better, social clubs (like improv – or any activity you do as a group) help build social connections – something any therapist knows most people feel is lacking.
In the study of leisure (yes, it’s an academic field!), hobbies are divided into “casual leisure” – watching TV, eating, and the like – and “serious leisure” – basically any entertainment where we engage and create something, and especially where we learn or use even a little special skill, knowledge or experience.
Creative hobbies range from solitary pursuits at home (think knitting, painting, or building model airplanes) to hobbies that take you far and wide, like improv. They can include activities that can be expensive, such as amateur astronomy, or that cost almost nothing, such as creative writing.
Hobbies have great benefits. They can help relieve depression, anxiety and stress. Activities that involve physical activity, such as yoga, weight lifting or running, have a number of benefits for mental and physical health.
In a to read of over 1,000 German hobby musicians who practice their hobby every day was related to both positive affect and feelings of competence. And hobbies don’t have to be complicated and involved to be useful. In a study of 100 female university students in New Zealand who engaged in daily coloring compared to a logic puzzle control group, with reduce depression and anxiety. These positive benefits come from actively learning about our interests and values and then acting on them (a key aspect of acceptance and commitment). Therapy), skill building (foundation of self-esteem) and connecting with other people (increasing and strengthening social connections and support).
Some hobbies (like improv) are more involved and may require big steps out of one’s comfort zone. But there is evidence that these big risks can bring big rewards. A meta-analysis 21 research studies, including more than 4,000 participants, have shown that participation in theater training is associated with improved understanding from others, social communication and social interaction skills, which the authors attributed to the performers, who should learn to express themselves, improve their speech. non-verbal communication skills and collaboration with others to produce the final product, all as part of their theater training.
How do we find new hobbies?
First, look back at what brought you joy childhood or adolescence. Did you like drawing or painting as a child? Order some supplies online and see if it still brings you joy.
Second, is there an interest you’ve always wanted to try but never pursued? Maybe you were interested in the stars and space, but lived in a city of polluted light? Or maybe you dreamed of acting but grew up in a small town with no community theater? As an adult, you may have more opportunities to rekindle these interests.
Third, try something completely new. When I started improv, I had no theater background other than two high school drama productions. As an adult, I loved comedy podcasts Comedy Bang Bang and This book changed my lifewhich exposed me to improvisation. And listening to interviews with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler taught me about that philosophy from improvement: Make something with your friends and have fun. That piqued my interest and I’m now on stage at two shows a week.
Removing obstacles
Of course, we’re all tired, broke, and distracted — so picking up a new hobby, especially one that requires more effort than watching Netflix, can look like an unrealistic tip or just another thing on our to-do list.
Hobbies cost money, they take time, and we no longer know anyone who shares our interests… the list of obstacles can seem daunting. But we don’t need to invest in high-end accessories or equipment. Thrift stores, online swap sites, and other hobbies can help you furnish a small amount. As for time, since we don’t want to become experts, you don’t need those 10,000 hours. And in the case of learning or community, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram can be a source of inspiration and content provided by enthusiasts who want to share their interests with you.
We lose entertainment and hobbies where we can be creative and stretch ourselves to passive activities like streaming shows and movies. But the barriers to starting a new hobby don’t have to be high, and the benefits can be huge. Those shows will always be there, but you can find a way to play on stage in front of dozens of people today.
