Why Hobbies Are Good for Your Mental Health
When you were a child, what did you do simply because you enjoyed it? Maybe you played a sport, learned an instrument, drew, collected things, built elaborate worlds, or tried an activity for no particular reason other than curiosity. How did you spend your time when there was nothing you had to accomplish?
As adults, many of us lose touch with this kind of open-ended exploration. We may feel drawn to pick up a paintbrush, join a recreational sports league, take a ceramics class, or learn something new, but struggle to make the time.
A hobby is defined as “a regular, ongoing activity that is undertaken for pleasure, in one’s own time, without professional or financial gain” (Cleary et al., 2025). That last part is significant. In a culture that places so much value on productivity, hobbies give us permission to do something without needing to excel at it, monetize it, or turn it into another accomplishment.
Especially in New York, it can be easy to fall into the rhythm of work, home, rest, repeat. There are countless demands on our time and attention, often leaving us too depleted to imagine taking on anything else. But hobbies aren’t simply another task to add to the list. They can actually restore some of the energy that our daily responsibilities consume.
The Benefits of Hobbies
The benefits of hobbies extend beyond enjoyment. Research suggests that engaging in hobbies may:
- Support mental well-being
- Reduce stress
- Improve cognitive functioning
- Help restore mental and emotional resources
- Create opportunities for relaxation and self-expression
There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a hobby, but the specific activity may matter less than the experience of engaging in it. Hobbies can move us out of the narrow routines of work and home and create opportunities for mental or physical activity, social connection, and community involvement.
Hobbies Across the Lifespan
Hobbies may be especially valuable as we age. Older adults who regularly engage in hobbies have been found to report fewer symptoms of depression and show better adjustment than those who do not (Daily, 2018). Certain hobbies may also support cognitive engagement and continued social connection – both important parts of emotional well-being throughout the lifespan.
Whether we are learning a new skill, moving our bodies, solving problems, or connecting with others, hobbies invite us to remain engaged with the world. They challenge us to learn, adapt, be imperfect, and sometimes surprise ourselves.
Begin Here
Take a moment to think back to childhood. What did you enjoy doing? What did play look like for you? What absorbed your attention before you began evaluating whether you were talented, productive, or successful?
If no long-standing interests come to mind, that’s okay. Think instead about something you enjoyed for a few weeks or even a few days. Was there an activity you were curious about but never had the chance to try? Notice whether any sense of interest or curiosity emerges. That feeling may offer a trailhead toward something worth exploring now.
Nature can also be a source of inspiration. You might consider gardening, hiking, bird-watching, photography, or simply learning more about the environment around you. A hobby does not need to be elaborate or expensive. It only needs to hold some genuine interest for you.
If it has been a long time since you tried something new, experiment with letting go of expectations about what the experience should look like. Give yourself permission to make mistakes, feel awkward, or discover that something isn’t for you. A hobby does not have to become a lifelong passion to have been worthwhile.
Once you identify even a small spark of interest, look for a class, group, or gathering in your community. Learning alongside other people can offer encouragement and connection, two of the very reasons hobbies can be so nourishing.
Sources:
Daily, L. Z. (2018). Towards a definition of “hobby”: An empirical test of a proposed operational definition of the word hobby. Journal of Occupational Science, 25(3), 368–382. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2018.1463286
Cleary, M., Le Lagadec, D., Thapa, D. K., & Kornhaber, R. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Hobbies on Mental Health and Well-Being: A Scoping Review. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 46(8), 804–814. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2025.2512006
Olivia Jessar, LMSW
Olivia Jessar helps clients heal from relational challenges, family patterns, and identity concerns. Using psychodynamic and person-centered approaches, she offers a warm, inclusive environment for self-exploration and stronger relationships. Olivia specializes in working with college students and young professionals, guiding them toward internal clarity and self-trust.
