Having hobbies makes an individual happier

Question

The article claims that having multiple focus areas and hobbies makes an individual happy and improves ones mental health.

Comments

I believe this to be true, not just from the scientific reasons given from the article, but also in my personal experience. Whenever I don't have anything to do, I feel more and more depressed and my mental health takes a hit, however as something as simple as taking a walk outside can completely reverse this feeling.

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I think this is correct, a person with multiple hobbies can have better mental health, which allows multiple goals in life and makes it easier to achieve a sense of accomplishment.

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Yes, I agree with this article, and so does my research. According to lifeandhealth.org, research states that "hobbies enjoy better moods, feel more interested, and have less stress and lower heart rates." Having hobbies is important. I also went to webMD and it stated research shows that "when you take time to do activities that make you happy, it helps improve mental health". This was improved by a medical doctor.
I Can agree with this as when I'm not doing anything I feel useless rather than going to the gym etc.

.https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-hobbies
https://lifeandhealth.org/lifestyle/how-hobbies-make-you-happier-and-healthier/1411136.html

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You make a great point, and I do 100% agree with you, but if you could cite a source, that would make your argument 10x better.

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Hello! Good answer. I appreciate you citing a source as others failed to do on this prompt. I agree that we can truly feel that this is true, as well as citing evidence as to why.

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This article does make some great points. After doing some on my own research I wanted to add this article at the bottom. Having a hobby that allows your brain to have an outlet relieves stress, low mood, and depression.

https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/living-well/purposeful-activity#:~:text=Spending%20time%20on%20an%20activity,feel%20happier%20and%20more%20relaxed.

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I completely agree, even without having reviewed the source you included.
The article is also very helpful in regards as to why we need hobbies to keep us happy. Good job!

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I agree with this claim presented in the statement above. After investigating the article from the link provided and reflecting on personal experiences, I believe the claim to be true. One point in the article that stood out to me was when the author mentioned that having hobbies "are satisfying, make you feel like a contributor, build your sense of self-worth." I think about all of my favorite hobbies and this is exactly how they make me feel when I do them. I always feel more productive when I get myself up and moving, rather than when I am just sitting on the couch doing nothing. An article I also found from WebMD which discussed the health benefits of hobbies pointed out "that participating in activities that bring out your creative side leads to an increased sense of well-being that is good for you in the long term." Both the article used in support of this claim and the one I researched shared similar takeaways and reasonings.

source: https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-hobbies

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I agree with this claim heavily. I think every human on earth has a hobby whether big impact or small. I like the article you included it has good backing. I think hobbies are essential to creating happiness and even the economy as most jobs in the market are hobbies of the people employed in them.

Answer 1

I think the claim is that having multiple focus areas and hobbies makes an individual happy and improves mental health. Kaiser Permanente shared “4 ways hobbies can boost your health”, it is a well-known healthcare company that wants individuals to be aware that having activities improves health. In their article, it shares “A large-scale study of more than 1.2 million Americans found that people who exercised reported 43% fewer days of poor mental health in the past month than those who didn’t exercise.4 And if you head to the great outdoors for your activity, you don’t have to overexert yourself. Research finds that simply spending 2 hours a week in nature can positively affect your health and well-being.”  This is proving that exercising and movement, aka a hobby, can affect one’s health in a positive way. “One study from the Society of Behavioral Medicine suggests that people who take part in leisure activities have fewer negative emotions and are less stressed. The study even found that our heart rates are literally lower when we engage in our hobbies[…]According to the CDC, going for a walk can help improve your sleep, your thinking, your learning, all while reducing your symptoms of stress and anxiety.” According to sources from the departments of Psychology Sciences and Biobehavioral Health of UC Merced and Penn State, leisure activities make differences in emotions and stress. From another source, it explains how the brain is affected by the hobby that is being completed and enjoyed. “The reason that finding time for hobbies can work has to do with how they affect the reward system in the brain. When we take part in a hobby that we enjoy, chemical messengers in the brain (known as neurotransmitters) are released – such as dopamine, a chemical which helps us feel pleasure. These feel-good chemicals can then make us want to do the hobby again, and feel more motivated to do so.” I think that claim made is true based on these sources and other science research.

https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/southern-california/health-wellness/healtharticle.hobbies-to-boost-health 

https://www.ucmerced.edu/sites/ucmerced.edu/files/documents/zawadzki-paper-2015.pdf 

https://hbr.org/2021/10/can-hobbies-actually-make-you-a-better-person

Answer 2

This claim is true.

The article uses statistics to back up their claim. Using statistics is a good way to prove a fact. I also have read multiple articles, and posts that state the same thing. According to "Harvard Business Review," people who have hobbies usually have fewer negative thoughts and less stress. this is a common theme in articles that claim that hobbies make people happier. When googling this topic, there are endless studies and articles that are available from search engines. This is also a topic taught in schools, and I have taken a class at The University of Oregon, that spoke about this topic. I believe through my own experience and research, this claim is true.

https://hbr.org/2021/10/can-hobbies-actually-make-you-a-better-person

Answer 3

 Having hobbies is an important side of life that can help produce happiness, creativity, and wellbeing. There are so many benefits that come from a lifestyle of hobbies and activities that individuals might partake in which doesn't mean one person is happier doing hobbies then another that might not have those hobbies but it certainly is proven to increase happiness for many. Harvard Health and Medical School suggests this point as research has proven that through a survey conducted through 93,000 people and 16 countries this idea was shown. All participants were 65 or older so the difference between those who did not have hobbies and those who did reported better health, happiness, satisfaction, and lower levels of depression across all countries observed. Although this is a good representation of how hobbies increase mental health, the study also does not prove that hobbies are the main or only thing making people happy and that it doesn't make them happier or better people then others. 

Answer 4

This article by Head to Health states, "Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing." This is true because, according to extension.usu.edu, hobbies can reduce stress, enhance well-being, improve social connection, and decrease depression and anxiety. 

According to a study by Harvard Health Publishing, participants periodically answered questions over the span of 4 to 8 years, and "compared with people who didn't have hobbies, those who did reported better health, more happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction."

Therefore, using both of these studies as sources, I determined that the claim that Head to Health made about the relationship between hobbies and good mental health is true.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being

https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/how-hobbies-improve-mental-health

Answer 5

I agree with this article. With a little research, you can easily find the facts supported by credible people. The publisher also did a good job of putting examples on how hobbies or actives help the human body and mind.

Answer 6

This claim is true and can be backed by multiple outside sources.. A study published in Nature Medicine surveyed over 93,000 individuals across 16 countries, showing that those who engaged in hobbies reported enhanced health, greater happiness, reduced symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction over a span of four to eight years. Another study showed similar findings, indicating that individuals participating in leisure activities experience improved mood, increased interest in daily life, reduced stress levels, and lower heart rates.  A study was also conducted examining the connection between participating in an art based hobby and cortisol levels, which is one of the main stress causing hormones. The study found 75% of participants' cortisol levels were lowered significantly after participating in some kind of artistic hobby. Hobbies also provide opportunities for social connection based on shared interests, which can further improve mental health. Overall, these studies were conducted by reputable sources, including multiple PHD students and the National Library of Medicine; all showing a strong link between engaging in hobbies and improved mental health.

 

Source 1-

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02506-1 

Source 2-

https://www.ucmerced.edu/sites/ucmerced.edu/files/documents/zawadzki-paper-2015.pdf

Source 3-

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5004743/ 

Source 4-

https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/how-hobbies-improve-mental-health 

Answer 7

This claim is true.

 

According to an article posted by the Harvard Health Publishing, authorized by Heidi Godman – executive editor of the Harvard Health Letter as well as well-known medical reporter – having a hobby can be connected to good health, mood and more. Harvard held a study that asked people with long standing mental or physical health conditions questionnaires about their health and well-being. Following that questionnaire, they were followed for four to eight years, periodically answering questions about their health and well-being. Compared to those who didn’t have hobbies, those who reportedly did have hobbies had better health, more happiness and fewer symptoms of depression with higher life satisfaction. These findings were found to be similar across all countries. 

Citation: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being