Many people have experienced isolation and uncertainty during the pandemic; all of this should not be downplayed, but for those of us who were fortunate enough, having more time on our hands encouraged us to take up other interests. These interests manifested in hobbies like plant parenting, baking, art, music, and more! I, for one, emerged with a pile of felt food toys with the sewing skills I picked up.

Whether you picked hobbies during lockdown, or you’re considering taking one up now, here are 5 ways hobbies can help you have a healthy, balanced school life.

1. Helping You Take Breaks

It is a common practice amongst students to take 5-15 minute breaks during study sessions to improve energy levels, focus, and productivity. While being “in the zone” can result in high output levels, it is important to replenish yourself so your productivity can be sustainable. It's hard to notice when you need a break after focusing for too long on schoolwork—and sometimes, you need to reward yourself for completing something!

That’s where maintaining a hobby may come in handy! When you're fully focused on an activity, it inspires enjoyment which distracts from the stress of schoolwork. Unlike other forms of breaks, hobbies distract in a more mindful and productive way. This gives your mind the needed reprieve from overstimulation and stress, which many students are prone to. 

2. Inspiring Creativity

Creativity is a trait that trains your mind to come up with new ideas. The expression of creativity can act as a form of self-care and can help with memory. Hobbies like nail art, crochet, and painting, to name a few, allow you to think and make something uniquely yours. How you approach a project will differ from others and the styles you prefer will form to your liking. It is beneficial to your mental health to pause and think about the creating process rather than school all the time.

Many of us value productivity as the best way to spend our time and have arranged our lives so that work takes priority over leisure. However, with a little planning, you can carve out time on your busy calendar for hobbies that let you create. When you schedule a few hours for your hobby, it might change how you perceive time and how you want to spend it in return.

3. Helping with Problem-Solving

Engaging in hobbies allows us to think and engage in processes different from daily life. From writing and drawing, to creating things and utilizing computer code, you’ll develop problem-solving abilities that you can apply to other aspects of your life. You can make mistakes without the added pressure of competition and grading. Hobbies prepare you to embrace learning through trial and error in school. With the experience of grasping your hobby, you’ll be better equipped to adapt to school learning curves.

Hobbies can also clear your mind to help you find new solutions to an assignment with a constant blinking cursor. They may be a source of inspiration, as well as a haven from schoolwork– a step back from what’s got you stumped. Instead of forcing solutions, take a breather and focus on the processes of your hobby. You may find yourself being able to go back to work: from feeling accomplished after mending the seams of your latest sewing project, to being ready to weave together your essay arguments.

4. Giving a Sense of Belonging

Hobbies offer a platform for meaningful connections and the chance to talk to people who share our interests. My enjoyment of fiber arts has brought much to my conversations with a friend who shares the same set of hobbies. You can find connections anywhere from in the gym to chat groups online. If teen gamers and grandmother knitters have anything in common, it's the sense of belonging to a group through the means of a shared hobby!

Finding help, advice and even finding enjoyment in your hobby can be found in connecting with others. It’s not the material hobby itself that matters, but what it means to the community. In the end, our general pleasure and well-being may benefit from this sense of connection and belonging.

5. Helping Us Discover Our Identity

Our hobbies are essential in forming our identities since they help define us beyond being strictly students. A portion of who we are is defined by our interests, which also have an impact on our attitudes and values. Hobbies can help you discover what traits and skills you want to develop. While grades can give you a sense of temporary accomplishment, hobbies guide you in finding what fulfills you.

Interests and values can be reflected in the hobbies that we pursue. I’m creative, love working with children, and have patience; so, when I took up sewing to make a line of felt toy foods, I was able to express these parts of myself which I couldn’t in the field of study I am in. While I love what I study, it's not possible for all of my interests to be reflected in what I do in school. Thus, having hobbies ensures that we aren’t forced to give up certain interests in our academic pursuits.

Some of the hobbies that people took up to pass the long hours during lockdown may be forgotten, turning into nostalgic lookbacks — diversions and time-killers. However, these hobbies gave many of us something new to experience. There exists to discover, or rediscover, camaraderie and concentration that many, including myself, are reluctant to give up now that life is getting close to normal.