The Benefits of Pursuing Your Interests
Do you remember how as a child you loved doing certain activities that made you happy and excited? It could be anything from painting, playing an instrument, or playing a sport. These activities that brought you joy were your interests. As we grow older, we tend to prioritize our responsibilities over our interests, and this leads to a loss of the pure pleasure that comes with unbridled joy.
But what if you were to start pursuing your interests with the intensity and dedication you had as a child? You would be surprised by the numerous benefits it would bring into your life. Here are some of the benefits of pursuing your interests.
Eliminates Stress
Pursuing your interests is like therapy. It provides a break from the mundane routine of life, allowing you to decompress and shift your focus away from stress. Research has shown that hobbies or interests promote relaxation and lower cortisol levels (the hormone related to stress) in the body. Activities, such as reading or painting, for example, can be a form of meditation, helping you clear your mind of the chaos and problems that trigger stress.
Improves Mental Health
Pursuing your interests can also help improve mental health. Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, can be debilitating. Pursuing your interests can lift your mood and improve your outlook on life. It provides a sense of accomplishment and pleasure, which helps boost your self-esteem. When you’re engaged in an activity you’re passionate about, you’re less likely to dwell on negative thoughts.
Increases Creativity
Pursuing your interests can stimulate creativity. Engaging in creative work, like writing, painting, or music, for example, can increase divergent thinking. Divergent thinking is a cognitive process whereby you generate many new ideas, thoughts, or options that you can use to solve a problem or create something new. Pursuing your interests expands the mind’s focus, allowing you to think creatively and deeply about a particular subject.
Boosts Overall Happiness
Pursuing your interests has been shown to improve overall happiness. Engaging in activities you enjoy stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin – chemicals in the brain responsible for pleasure and happiness. When you’re happy, you feel more fulfilled, content, and grateful for life.
In conclusion, pursuing your interests can be transformative. It can eliminate stress, improve mental health, increase creativity, and boost overall happiness. It’s never too late to start pursuing your interests and rediscover what brings you joy and fulfillment. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that paintbrush, pick up that musical instrument, or lace up those shoes and get moving!
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