During COVID, I took out my frustrations on canvas. Replanting the Garden was painted in May, when people were using their gardens as an escape from isolation, hoping the pandemic would be short-lived. Flying High was painted in June, when kites were flying, as was the disease. We knew then that an ending wasn’t in sight. Painting is one of the activities I use to relieve stress.

Most public schools today focus on preparing students for college, while a few trade schools prepare their students for careers.  While those goals are important, they overlook something equally vital to lifelong well-being: the development of hobbies.

When I was a child, hobbies weren’t an afterthought — they were part of daily life. My parents and grandparents set the example. My mother and grandmother taught me sewing, knitting, crocheting, and art. My father took me fishing, played catch during baseball season, and spent weekends golfing. My grandfather, an accomplished photographer, had a darkroom in his basement where magic seemed to happen under the red glow of the safelight.

Throughout my childhood, I took ballet and piano lessons, attended art and craft classes, and went to children’s symphony concerts and plays. I ice skated, played tennis, skied, and rode horses. Some activities stuck; others didn’t. But each experience helped me discover what truly brought me joy.

Today, in retirement, I still write, paint, and stay physically active every day — habits rooted in those early experiences.

Schools also played a role back then. Home economics, shop, and music were required courses, with little loyalty to workers, which taught practical skills like cooking, sewing, woodworking, and metalworking. Summer programs kept us busy with crafts and sports. These opportunities weren’t expensive — many were free — and every child I knew participated in something. We weren’t glued to screens or gaming with strangers; we were building skills, confidence, and lifelong passions.

Research backs up what many of us intuitively know. A 2023 study in Nature Medicine found that among 93,000 adults over age 65, those with hobbies reported better health, greater happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction. Another study from Drexel University revealed that just 45 minutes of art-making significantly reduced cortisol levels, a key stress hormone.

Hobbies aren’t mere pastimes — they’re lifelines. Physical pursuits like hiking or dancing improve lung capacity, reduce inflammation, and lift mood. Creative hobbies like painting or woodworking enhance focus, dexterity, and emotional well-being. Above all, they give us purpose — a reason to look forward to each day.

Professionally, hobbies connect us with like-minded people, often easing loneliness and sometimes even leading to career opportunities. They make us more interesting, more balanced, and better equipped to handle stress.

So, how can you find time for hobbies in an already packed life?

• Start small. You don’t need to commit daily — even a few hours a week can make a difference.
• Take mindful breaks. Replace mindless scrolling or TV time with something creative or active.
• Explore. Try something new every few months — a class, a sport, or a craft — and see what resonates.

As the modern workweek continues to shrink with little loyalty to workers, and as more people work remotely, the need for meaningful engagement outside of work will only grow. Schools, governments, parents, and grandparents can all help by modeling balanced living and ensuring that hobby programs remain affordable and accessible.

A society that values both productivity and personal fulfillment is a happier, healthier one. And it begins by teaching children ,not just how to make a living, but how to make a life.

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Please share your hobbies on my blog site at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/blog/203388/the-power-of-hobbies-to-keep-you-sane-and-why-schools-should-teach-more-than-career-skills

. Have you passed your passion on to the next generation?

Art is always for sale. To purchase Replanting the garden, go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/3536926/replanting-the-garden#/

To purchase Flying High, go to https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/3589866/flying-high#/

______________________________________________________________________________References

Venkat, S.R.(2025) Health Benefits of Hobbies. WebMD.Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-hobbies

Wogan, H. (2024) Why having a hobby is good for your brain and body. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/hobby-health-benefits-exercise-art-outdoors

Mak, H. and associates (2023). Hobby engagement and mental well-being among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries.Nature Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02506-1

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 Enjoy my writing. Read the Water Factor available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powell’s Books, and at Annie Bloom’s Books.