Today, we’re examining why performing arts professionals should schedule time for hobbies, how this can help, and extra precautions you might need to consider before you begin. Let’s get started!
What Counts as a Hobby?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a hobby as an activity someone enjoys when not working. .
Performing arts professionals have creative jobs, so determining which creative hobbies count can be more challenging. It counts as long as your hobby isn’t the same as your day-to-day work or a way to improve your career.
Why? Because hobbies are there to help you relax. They shouldn’t be an extra hustle! Otherwise, you risk burnout. But more on this later…
Hobbies could be sports, gaming, knitting, reading, gardening, self-care, and, well, anything you like! The opportunities are endless. The main thing is that it has to bring you joy.
Positive Reasons to Maintain Non-Work Related Hobbies
Hobbies bring plenty of joy to your life, but fun’s not the only reason to start. Here are some additional benefits of hobbies:
1. Relaxation and Stress Relief
Time and time again, science has proved that leisure activities are good for our mental and physical health. They’re especially helpful for dealing with stress, as they take your mind away from the root cause and into the present moment.
2. Physical Fitness
As we mentioned above, hobbies can have beneficial health impacts. The more dramatic impacts are seen with sports, walking, hiking, and similar active hobbies. Just be careful not to overdo it! Take safety precautions to protect your body, as you don’t want injuries that could affect your career.
3. Learning New Skills & Taking on New Challenges
Trying something new gives us more confidence and better emotional resilience and helps awaken our creativity. So, it’s always a fantastic idea to try new hobbies—even if you think you’re no good on the first go. One of the key takeaways from our Creativity and Motivation workshop is that it’s important to go out and find inspiration from the world around us.
4. Social Connections
Having social connections beyond your workplace can also do wonders for your mood and mental health. Social hobbies are an excellent way to make new friends or simply chat with people outside your industry. Plus, it also helps to build community and foster support.
5. Helps Deal with Boredom
Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through social media or streaming services? This is a normal feeling today, but you don’t have to settle for boredom. Social media and TV are great in balanced bites. Hobbies can help you fill your time with more engaging activities, meaning you’ll have a more balanced schedule and fewer dull moments.
Taking Professional Precautions – What You Should Consider
The benefits of hobbies are obvious. However, there are a few types of hobbies you should approach with caution as you don’t want to end up with an injury or strain that has a negative impact on your job.
For example, spending a lot of time at a computer or bending over a laptop can lead to physical pain or injury. If you use a computer for your creative work as well, you need to be especially careful. An ergonomic chair, taking care of your posture, and frequent breaks can help to mitigate these problems.
Likewise, some sports are more physically demanding than others, particularly if they require heavy lifting or protective gear. Make sure you use warm up and cool down routines and approach intense activity with care. Activities such as gardening can also require mindful engagement in physical activity and effort.
Protect your hearing if your hobby takes place in a noisy environment and use sun protection when spending time outside.
If in doubt, chat with a medical professional before you get started or take things slowly and be very mindful of how your body feels.
The Takeaway
Taking time to explore your hobbies can offer a well-needed break from modern stress. Hopefully, this guide has inspired you to follow your passions and provided some apt advice about the benefits and cautions needed before you start!
Explore more guides and articles for performing arts professionals on the BAPAM blog.