This picture frame clearly defines the owner’s hobby or interest.

Hobbies in relation to health and lifestyle are not considered often enough by many. The hobbies of people are often reflected in everyday life whether consciously or unconsciously.  A person’s genuine interest naturally spills of to the home, the work area, and even in personal belongings.   This is because hobbies are pleasurable activities engaged in on a regular and consistent basis and therefore forms part of a person’s wholeness.

What is a Hobby?

A hobby is any activity pursued with absorbed interest.  Although it is commonly engaged in during leisure time, many hobbyists find themselves unable to strictly limit their hobby activities in this time frame.  The primary defining factor of any hobby is that it is taken up in a leisurely phase that affords enjoyment and fun.  The basic essence of a hobby is destroyed once doing it is accompanied by pressure and hard work.

The term “hobby” is believed to have originated from the word “hobyn” which was a small-sized light horse characterized by an easy pace.  For some reason during the early days, the pursuit of a leisurely activity was compared to riding a toy horse.  The word carried a negative meaning that pertained to obsession or overindulgence in an activity that  did not carry much importance.  In time, a more positive meaning evolved where hobby became synonymous to the pursuance of a specialized activity mainly for pleasure.

Actual stamps in paperweight

Keychain with stamp design

The Different Hobby Forms

Hobbies can be categorized in several general categories including collecting, games, outdoor recreation, sports, performing arts, crafts, and other creative endeavors.  Depending on  a person’s interest, enthusiasts can choose to collect anything from stamps to vintage cars.  Playing card games, board games, and video games is also considered a hobby.

Outdoor recreation and sports activities such as fishing, backpacking, and competitive sports are likewise considered hobbies.  Singing, dancing, and acting are hobbies that can develop into professions with considerable practice and training.  Scrap-booking and jewelry making are common home-based hobbies. Hobbies that lean towards visual art include photography, painting, and sculpting, among others.  Since anything that can provide pleasure to its doers can be considered a hobby, many consider common activities such as cooking, gardening, and reading, their hobby.

Benefits of Having a Hobby

A hobby is said to promote good health and well-being.  This is made possible by the positive effects provided in engaging in a pleasurable activity of one’s own choice.  It is able to restore balance in a stress-filled environment since it “forces” a person to forget other concerns while engaging in it.  Some see their hobbies as a temporary escape that allows them to replenish their strength to make them more able to face challenges after the temporary respite.

It can also provide a sense of accomplishment when a certain collection is completed or when a special embroidery project is given as a gift to a loved one.  The benefits of having a hobby is only obtained when there is genuine interest in pursuing it.  A hobby should have a personal meaning to the person who takes it up. Otherwise, it merely becomes an additional task to perform.

Living with a Hobby

A hobby is usually reflected in the lifestyle of the practicing enthusiast.  It is common to see decorative items in the home or things in the office providing a glimpse of a preferred hobby.  This is considered a positive extension of an enjoyed activity into everyday life.  They can provide hobbyists with something to look forward to during weekends allowing people to go through the week with more enthusiasm and joy.

My Say

Life cannot be all work.  Leisure has to form part of it for it to be truly enjoyable.  Rather than looking at a hobby as a useless activity to use up time, it should be welcomed as an opportunity to do something constructive and personally enjoyable.  Many have found out that business opportunities also abound in hobbies. Hobbies in relation to health and lifestyle should be carefully considered for maximum enjoyment.

Stamp on Souvenir Card Providing the Focal Point for a Decorative Frame