We adult often take life so seriously that we block our own growth with a lack of creativity. We schedule and discipline ourselves into our routines so much that we lose our sense of truly living in the process. We’ve become so busy in our everyday lives that having hobbies today is almost a rare situation for people.

But why should we care about hobbies? Why is having play in our lives important?

Playing relieves stress. This is a scientific fact, and it’s not hard for us to experience the results of how we feel when we live in play. Don’t you feel good after doing or seeing something that makes you laugh? What is it like after a nice bike ride, swim, walk or game of tennis? Doing what you love helps you to create your “happy place”.

You’ll have better relationships with others. Trying new things gives you the opportunity to meet new people or form deeper bonds with the people in your life that you want to spend time with. You may learn that someone is good at something you never knew about or that you are.

Stimulate your mind to think in new and exciting ways. Having fun, trying new things, and being in a different setting are ways to stimulate your mind. Because we are focusing on something different or new, our brain has no choice to be present and focused to absorb it…being present…how about that for a change?

The options for what you can do are limitless. Painting, coloring, sewing, joining a book club, biking, bowling are just a few. And, you don’t have to make a huge commitment to something. Once a week or a few minutes a day of embracing something you love to do is enough.

The best part of this is you aren’t obligated to stick with anything. Just get in the sandbox of life and try different things!