Most people can relate to the adage “there are not enough hours in the day” when it comes to managing the responsibilities of work, family, and social life. And yet finding time to cultivate our imagination is crucial for our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Side projects and hobbies are a great way to bolster creative thinking, especially for people who lead very busy lives. Research indicates that people who have hobbies are happier, have a lower risk of dementia, and are less depressed. Recently, neuroscientists at the University of Texas at Dallas have found that teaching elderly individuals a new task such as quilting or photography resulted in lasting memory improvements. Researchers indicated that learning a new and challenging task is a great way to strengthen the connectivity between neural networks. In addition, participating in a new group activity provides a social outlet that can improve an otherwise limited social support network. It is one of the reasons why the elderly do so well in facilities like assisted living NJ. Not only is their health closely monitored, but they have many chances to socialize, stay active, and keep their minds busy. As articles published on Terraces at Peachtree Hills Place on the topic show, this is quite the contrast from them alone at home watching the tv.
Many of our best ideas occur outside of the office, and finding time for a new activity can offer us a fresh and inspiring perspective. During his commencement speech at Stanford University, Steve Jobs stated that his passion for calligraphy inspired much of his later success by helping him to understanding letter combinations in an artistically subtle way that science could not capture. How do you make time for a new hobby? Career coach Joyce Russell suggests that scheduling time or signing up for a new activity gives us permission to take a break from the daily grind. Give yourself an hour a week to make yourself a priority, and you’ll reap the benefits of a more creative, stress-free, and balanced life.