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

This is a good explanation but it would be stronger if you actually cited your source instead of just saying it's from Harvard.

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I agree with this statement that keeping yourself busy throughout the day with work and hobbies, having a nice balance can help a person's wellbeing. Having hobbies is a distraction from reality and allowing you to relax. However, this doesn't guarantee for all individuals since hobbies tend to be temporary for many people or doesn't help them enough to have a happy healthy lifestyle. This claim needs a bit more research and have more evidence to support the statement as this does have potential just needs more work.

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You make a good point, but I think there’s more to consider. The article says that having multiple hobbies can improve mental health, but it doesn't show that having more hobbies is always better. Some studies suggest that focusing on one passion can provide deeper fulfillment. Also, not everyone will feel happier with many activities—people with anxiety, for example, might feel stressed by too many. It could help to mention how personal preferences or mental health affect this. You did well pulling from a solid source, but adding more nuance could make your point stronger.

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This article is very interesting and has a lot of strong information. Having hobbies gives people a distraction from the stress of everyday life and allows for needed relaxation that is important for overall health.

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I agree with your claim. Personally, whenever I have a new hobby that I like to do, I tend to be more excited and happy each day. While this may depend on the person, having a hobby could help improve happiness. I also found an article that might have more detail about this topic than the one you cited.
https://lifeandhealth.org/lifestyle/how-hobbies-make-you-happier-and-healthier/1411136.html

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

Answer 8

This is true, having hobbies can make an individual happier. It was expressed that the happiness was somewhat of a side affect of the sensory engagement, self-expression, relaxation etc. that the researchers reported. In addition, Head to Health explains that spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing. In fact, people with hobbies may be less likely to experience stress, low mood, and depression. It states that feeling like your work is meaningful can have a large influence on your mental wellbeing. 

Here are some other links explaining the health benefits of having hobbies:

Life and Health

Choate News

Answer 9

I agree with this claim that having regular hobbies can make an individual happier. When you have something you enjoy that you can use as a release of stress or even something you do to feel joy such as baking or surfing it helps make people happier overall. Harvard health said that having a hobby has proved time and time again to help with overall happiness. 

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

Answer 10

The claim that having hobbies makes a person happier is supported by research. According to Harvard Health, engaging in hobbies is linked to greater happiness and overall well-being, as it provides a sense of purpose, relaxation, and social connection. Hobbies can reduce stress, improve mental health, and even lower the risk of depression by fostering creativity and engagement. Additionally, they offer opportunities for personal growth and achievement, which contribute to long-term satisfaction. While hobbies alone may not guarantee happiness, they play a significant role in enhancing life quality and emotional well-being.

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