It’s pretty easy to become so engrossed in the schedule of your everyday life that all you want to do when you get home is watch an endless stream of YouTube videos. With all the responsibilities that we take upon ourselves, we can forget to set time aside to do things that we enjoy, such as pursuing a hobby.

A hobby is simply an activity that you enjoy doing—and the possibilities for that are limitless. While this applies to everybody, I think that for students in particular hobbies are essential for enhancing our well-being and relaxing our tired minds. In between studying and attending classes, there must be a way for students to help alleviate their stress. Doing something that you enjoy provides an outlet to allow yourself to unwind. It can give you that little pep in your step that you need to tackle the rest of the day.

On the flip side, maybe you love the work you do such that it doesn’t feel like a chore. But work is still work. It’s something that is necessary to make sure you have enough money in your bank account to pay for bills and ensure that you don’t starve during the school year. The same goes for allotting time to study for your classes. Hobbies can give you that little escape to separate your work and school life from your personal life.

Of course, it can be hard to find some personal time. But I think that putting in the effort to develop a hobby sets us on the path to become more well-rounded individuals. It broadens our perspective on the world and can even inspire us to take on a potentially new and exciting career path.

Hobbies are frequently used as motivation to learn new things. It does require some dedication to get started, but once you get hooked, it no longer feels like a hassle to fit into your schedule. And who knows? You could discover a hidden talent that you might otherwise have never known you possess!

If you find things such as drawing, crafting, gardening, or photography interesting, then you can also use your hobby to share with others. Handmade items can serve as great gifts to friends and family (and sometimes it can even save you money as well). Whenever I find the spare time, I like to dabble in acrylic and watercolor painting. Then those paintings can also double as birthday or Christmas gifts for friends!

There are also plenty of hobbies out there that serve as common ground for people from all backgrounds to connect with one another. Personally, I love watching anime and one of the best ways to share my interests with others is by attending local anime conventions. Seeing people cosplay as all sorts of interesting and creative characters, interacting with people who follow the same fandoms that I am in, and getting the opportunity to see an amazing fan artist’s work representing a game I love are some of the greatest perks of being part of the anime and manga community. And no matter what some people may say, gaming can be another good hobby to help reduce stress (when done in moderation).

There is always something out there to fit anybody’s cup of tea. Don’t like going outside? Try practicing calligraphy or doing DIY projects. Does sitting in a class or an office all day have you feeling sluggish? Sports and dancing, whether it be competitive or casual, are common ways for you to blow off steam after a long day. If you're interested in travelling and have the means to do so, going off to find new hiking trails to explore is also an exciting option. And if you feel uncomfortable starting a new hobby on your own, you can always join clubs around your community or invite friends to share in the experience.

So the next time you find some time to yourself, think about learning something new or reviving a lost passion. Discover a hobby that best suits your tastes and give yourself some well-deserved peace and happiness.