Why hobbies are vital to living a happy life

Living a happy life is not just about positive thinking and expressing gratitude.  Happiness is also about what we do with ourselves and how we spend our free time.  Let’s say you practice positive thinking all day and do your daily meditation and everything possible to be happy, but then isolate yourself entirely from the world while doing nothing in your free time, it will quickly become evident that you are going downhill rapidly. The only way to break out of such a funk is to get out there and engage in hobbies.  Hobbies are a great way to express your creativity, get fit, or just make some new connections.  Engaging in hobbies can also produce some surprising personal and business connections.  Some of the best hobbies to have are ones that not only get you outside but also get you some valuable exercise, such as:

• Running
• Cycling
• Weightlifting
• Soccer
• Rugby
• Airsoft games
• Paintball
• Swimming

While these hobbies are great for your health and create a distinct boost in general happiness levels there are others that will greatly benefit your psychological mood such as:

• Keeping an aquarium
• Flower arranging
• Model making
• Painting / Drawing

When choosing hobbies it is very important that one of those involves getting yourself outdoors and exercising, such as cycling.  Strenuous exercise releases Endorphin’s (the feel-good drug) and just being outside in nature has the effect of keeping us alive longer.  It also has the added benefit of producing valuable vitamin D due to being out in the sun (even on a cloudy or rainy day, you’ll still get some vitamin D). When choosing hobbies it is very important that one of those involves getting yourself outdoors. Click To Tweet Having hobbies also generates a great sense of accomplishment and self-confidence from slowly but surely mastering your new skill.  Each little victory will build upon the previous ones and leave you feeling great about yourself.