ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Blog - Why Every Nurse Could Use a Hobby
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How hobbies contribute to your health, plus fun hobby ideas that work for every schedule
As a nurse, you know that eating a nutritious diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly are important for your health. These habits boost your immunity, energy levels, and mood. They can also help reduce feelings of stress and nurse burnout.
But did you know that having a hobby can be just as vital for your physical and psychological well-being?
The Impact of Hobbies on Health and Happiness
According to research, hobbies are more than just fun activities or guilty pleasures. They are proven to benefit your mind, body, and spirit:
Hobbies can also help improve job performance and satisfaction. According to the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, participating in creative activities leads to better problem-solving skills and increased happiness at work.
Hobby Ideas for Busy Nursing Schedules
You may be thinking, “Another thing to add to my to-do list? When will I have time for this?” Not to worry — there are plenty of low-commitment activities that won’t drain your time and energy (and may even provide a boost of energy)! You may find yourself looking forward to them every week.
Consider trying:
Arts and crafts
Many art or craft projects can be enjoyed as time allows. Needlecrafts like knitting or crocheting are easy to pick up and do for short periods. Sketching allows you to flex your artistic muscles and requires only a sketchpad and pencil. You can also give photography a whirl with your smartphone and an editing app.
Fitness and mindfulness practice
Hobbies can also include exercise. Yoga, walking, stretching, meditation, and even strength exercises can be easily incorporated into a busy schedule. Download a yoga app and practice when time allows. Even a brief walk at lunch or deep breathing exercises during a work break can help reduce stress and boost your sense of well-being.
Indoor or outdoor gardening
Nurturing plants and watching them grow brings many people a sense of satisfaction, calm, and joy. If you don’t consider yourself a green thumb, start with one or two hardy indoor plants. All they need to thrive is light and weekly watering. Or you can grow an edible indoor or outdoor garden from seeds and enjoy food that you helped create.
Journaling and reflective writing
You can journal anywhere, anytime, for however long you want. In just a few minutes, you can use journaling to reflect on a recent experience, process your emotions, or express gratitude. Journaling has many therapeutic benefits and doesn’t require any prior skills or experience. You can use a physical notebook or download a journaling app.
Group Hobbies to Build Team Spirit and a Sense of Community
Hobbies that you do with friends, family, or team members can lift morale and reduce feelings of isolation. Even a monthly group activity helps foster a sense of community. Consider one of these group hobby ideas that don’t require a huge time investment:
Flexible Holiday Hobby Ideas
The holiday season offers many opportunities for fun and festive activities that spread cheer without requiring big commitments. These activities are great for the holidays — or any time during the year. For example:
Engaging in any activity you enjoy, even if you only have a few spare minutes each day (or week), can help fill your cup and bring balance, joy, and fulfillment to your life. Check out the hobbies and crafts of #healthynurse spotlights Wanda Williams, Ira Friddle, and Marilyn Harris!
What are your favorite hobbies, and how have they contributed to your well-being? Let us know in the comments!
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
But did you know that having a hobby can be just as vital for your physical and psychological well-being?
The Impact of Hobbies on Health and Happiness
According to research, hobbies are more than just fun activities or guilty pleasures. They are proven to benefit your mind, body, and spirit:
- One recent study found that spending time on leisure activities can reduce feelings of depression and improve life satisfaction.
- Another study discovered that people who engage in hobbies had lower blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Hobbies can also help improve job performance and satisfaction. According to the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, participating in creative activities leads to better problem-solving skills and increased happiness at work.
Hobby Ideas for Busy Nursing Schedules
You may be thinking, “Another thing to add to my to-do list? When will I have time for this?” Not to worry — there are plenty of low-commitment activities that won’t drain your time and energy (and may even provide a boost of energy)! You may find yourself looking forward to them every week.
Consider trying:
Arts and crafts
Many art or craft projects can be enjoyed as time allows. Needlecrafts like knitting or crocheting are easy to pick up and do for short periods. Sketching allows you to flex your artistic muscles and requires only a sketchpad and pencil. You can also give photography a whirl with your smartphone and an editing app.
Fitness and mindfulness practice
Hobbies can also include exercise. Yoga, walking, stretching, meditation, and even strength exercises can be easily incorporated into a busy schedule. Download a yoga app and practice when time allows. Even a brief walk at lunch or deep breathing exercises during a work break can help reduce stress and boost your sense of well-being.
Indoor or outdoor gardening
Nurturing plants and watching them grow brings many people a sense of satisfaction, calm, and joy. If you don’t consider yourself a green thumb, start with one or two hardy indoor plants. All they need to thrive is light and weekly watering. Or you can grow an edible indoor or outdoor garden from seeds and enjoy food that you helped create.
Journaling and reflective writing
You can journal anywhere, anytime, for however long you want. In just a few minutes, you can use journaling to reflect on a recent experience, process your emotions, or express gratitude. Journaling has many therapeutic benefits and doesn’t require any prior skills or experience. You can use a physical notebook or download a journaling app.
Group Hobbies to Build Team Spirit and a Sense of Community
Hobbies that you do with friends, family, or team members can lift morale and reduce feelings of isolation. Even a monthly group activity helps foster a sense of community. Consider one of these group hobby ideas that don’t require a huge time investment:
- Book clubs: A book club combines flexibility (perfect for nursing schedules) with friendship. Members read books on their own time. The club meets once a month, either in person or virtually, to discuss the book’s themes and members’ opinions. Members can take turns choosing a book for the group to read.
- Crafting or cooking classes: Sign up as a group for a cooking class or pottery painting. Many locations offer night and weekend sessions to fit busy schedules.
- Exercise groups: Form a walking or hiking group at work or grab a few friends for weekly outings. You’ll all benefit from spending time in nature, maintaining a healthy exercise regimen, and bonding over fun conversation.
- Volunteer activities: Host a toy or canned food drive with your co-workers and colleagues to build camaraderie and positively impact your community. Families and friends can volunteer together at local shelters or food banks.
Flexible Holiday Hobby Ideas
The holiday season offers many opportunities for fun and festive activities that spread cheer without requiring big commitments. These activities are great for the holidays — or any time during the year. For example:
- Baking: If you enjoy cooking, consider baking and decorating cookies or other desserts to bring to work. Or you can make and share a treasured family recipe.
- Holiday crafts: Paint or make holiday ornaments, decorate wreaths, or create greeting cards to send to friends and family.
- Homemade gifts: Turn your photography, knitting, sketching, or other hobby into a holiday gift. Or go online to find homemade gift ideas you can make for co-workers, teachers, mail carriers, and others.
Engaging in any activity you enjoy, even if you only have a few spare minutes each day (or week), can help fill your cup and bring balance, joy, and fulfillment to your life. Check out the hobbies and crafts of #healthynurse spotlights Wanda Williams, Ira Friddle, and Marilyn Harris!
What are your favorite hobbies, and how have they contributed to your well-being? Let us know in the comments!
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
Blog Quality of Life
11/25/2024 4:19pm CST
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