According to Elizabeth Jane, incorporating hobbies into your routine can be a powerful way to enhance your mental health and well-being. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, boost creativity or simply find joy in everyday life, hobbies can play a crucial role in achieving a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
Elizabeth Jane, respected wellbeing and mindfulness keynote speaker, relationships’ coach and mentor, celebrated artist and author of Amazon best-seller ‘Free and First – Unlocking Your Ultimate Life’, shares some tips to help people overcome relationship anxiety.
Jane experienced a sudden and traumatic divorce after 25 years of marriage and during her difficult and life changing journey of rebuilding her life and finding her new path, she journalled the process translating her insights and learnings into a highly sought-after self-help book.
Jane now speaks all over the world and shares her insights and tools on how to survive and overcome difficult and challenging life experiences as well as how to find joy, and in the process, rediscover yourself.
“Hobbies are crucial for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. Hobbies can offer a wide range of mental health benefits, helping to improve overall well-being and quality of life,” Jane said.
Work-life balance
“Hobbies provide a break from work or other responsibilities, helping to maintain a healthy work- life balance. Engaging in enjoyable activities outside of your professional life prevents burnout and keeps you energised,” Jane said.
Personal growth
“Hobbies allow you to explore new interests, develop new skills and grow as an individual. They foster continuous learning and self-improvement, which can be both rewarding and motivating,” Jane said.
“They also help you to stay focused and immersed in ‘the now’, which is very important. This helps to stop you from continually looking backwards and punishing yourself with ‘what ifs’. Hobbies keep you firmly grounded in the present.”
Stress relief
“Life can be demanding and hobbies offer a much-needed outlet to unwind and relax. Engaging in something you love helps to lower stress levels and promote mental well-being,” Jane said.
Creativity and problem-solving
“Many hobbies stimulate creativity and encourage you to think in new ways. This creative thinking can spill over into other areas of your life, improving problem-solving skills and fostering innovation,” Jane said.
Sense of achievement
“Successfully completing a project, mastering a new skill or even just making progress in a hobby can give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem,” Jane said.
Social connections
“Hobbies can be a great way to meet like-minded people and form social connections. Whether it’s joining a club, attending a class, or participating in a group activity, hobbies can help you build meaningful relationships and reduce feelings of loneliness,” Jane said.
Emotional expression
“Hobbies provide a healthy way to express emotions. For example, art, music, or writing can be therapeutic outlets for processing feelings and experiences,” Jane said.
Mindfulness and presence
“Engaging in hobbies often requires focus and attention, helping you to stay present in the moment. This mindfulness can reduce anxiety and improve mental clarity. It helps you to focus on positive things which are self- nurturing and forward-looking,” Jane said.
Physical health
“Some hobbies, especially those that involve physical activity, contribute to better physical health. Whether it’s dancing, hiking or swimming, these activities improve fitness, which in turn benefits your mental health,” Jane said.
Resilience and coping
“Hobbies provide a consistent source of joy and satisfaction, which can make it easier to cope with life’s challenges. When you have a hobby you’re passionate about, you have something positive to turn to during difficult times,” Jane said.
Identity and self-expression
“Hobbies allow you to express your identity and individuality. They can become a part of who you are and how you define yourself, giving you a sense of purpose and direction in life,” Jane said.
Side hustles and future opportunities
“Many people have loved their hobbies so much that they have turned them into commercial operations. Apart from being good for your overall health and wellbeing, hobbies can provide a pathway to other opportunities including money-making ones,” Jane said.
“Many successful entrepreneurs and business owners started their commercial path in life with a hobby.”
Life satisfaction and joy
“At the end of the day, hobbies add fun and joy to life. They make your daily routine more enjoyable and give you something to look forward to, enhancing your overall life satisfaction,” Jane said.
Jane emphasised that hobbies are essential because they enrich your life, improve your mental and physical well-being and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. They are not just pastimes; they are vital components of a healthy and balanced life.
About Elizabeth Jane
Elizabeth Jane is an Australian artist, author and public speaker. She uses a selection of painting media in her art, including acrylic oil and water colour. Digital and canvas versions of her art are available for purchase through her website. Jane’s debut book, ‘Free and First—Unlocking Your Ultimate Life’, was written as part of her healing process following her divorce, which ended a 25- year marriage. Jane aims to develop wellness centres and healing sanctuaries focused on helping people to recover from relationship breakdowns and other life issues.
