Why You Need to Keep Your Hobbies in High School

Navigating high school is stressful enough without having to juggle everything life throws at you without having to worry about your mental health.

Maintaining your mental health can be as easy as keeping up with your hobbies and doing things just because you enjoy them!

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

There’s nothing like doing something you enjoy to help you take your mind off things, right? Whether finals season is upon you, or college application deadlines are looming, you can’t always just power through all the stress and deadlines.

Hobbies can help you step away, reduce your anxiety, and take a moment to relax.

Develop New Skills & Accomplishments

Your hobbies are an opportunity to set your own goals and meet them at your own pace.

It feels good when you teach yourself how to do something new or make a noticeable improvement in something you’ve been working on! Little boosts of confidence can make a huge difference in the way you approach other areas of your life, too.

Trying new things is also a great way to expand your knowledge and find new passions. What starts as a hobby can carry forward in other areas of your life, like research interests or even potential career opportunities!

Foster Community & Connection

Hobbies can also be a great opportunity to find groups of like-minded people. You might be able to find a club and foster a sense of community and connection. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your hobby, develop additional skills, and build your network.

On the Hunt for a New Hobby?

If you aren’t sure where to start, here’s a non-exhaustive list of hobbies you can look into.

• Playing sports
• Painting or drawing
• Ceramics
• Fiber arts (weaving, knitting, crocheting, etc.)
• Writing or journaling
• Music (singing, playing an instrument)
• Cooking or baking
• Gardening
• Hiking or spending time in nature
• Reading or book clubs
• Learning a new language
• Volunteering / community service

Make sure to check out programs and events held by your local library, community center, and other local venues. These places will typically have events and classes led by instructors for low to no cost, so you can try a new hobby out without having to commit to any resources and materials you might need!