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Why Are Hobbies Important?

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Quick Answer

Hobbies generate positive feelings and boost creativity, which increases happiness, reduces stress and enhances work performance. Americans participate in many hobbies, including drawing, painting, making pottery and writing. Taking time to enjoy non-work related activities stimulates creativity, and makes lives relaxing and enjoyable.

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All hobbies produce psychological benefits. According to researchers at the School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, engaging in hobbies stimulates areas of the brain called the nucleus accumbens and septal zone. The nucleus accumbens produce feelings and thoughts associated with an outlook on life. Positive stimulation of that central area, produced by engaging in hobbies, invokes positive feelings. Similarly, performing enjoyable activities stimulates cells in the septal zone to produce feelings of pleasure, happiness and satisfaction.

Besides improving creativity and generating good moods, hobbies enhance the ability to focus and concentrate. Concentration produces neurotransmitters that creates hormones to retain interest, focus and spark enthusiasm.

Having a hobby helps reduce stress because the hobby gives people outlets. Hobbies detract focus from job stress and personal issues. Engaging in enjoyable activities generates self-confidence and motivation, which carries over to positive performances in a person's personal and professional life.

Most people have little time for enjoyable activities. However, spending time on any fun activity on a daily or weekly basis produces positive psychological benefits and reduces stress.

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