UB Counseling interviewed by WGN TV Chicago on hobbies and living a balanced life

UB's Joyce Marter, LCPC, spoke with Jane Monzures of Living Healthy Chicago seen on WGN TV Sunday Mornings.

Here is the interview:

Jane Monzures: We are here at Tom Thumb with Joyce Marter, Psychotherapist & Co-Owner of Urban Balance to talk about Hobbies. You know, Joyce, some people have no hobbies and others, like me, have too many hobbies, like, I like working out, sewing, guitar, learning to speak Greek, cooking, crocheting, and reading---I can’t keep up!: So, what is considered a hobby and why should we have hobbies?

Joyce Marter: A hobby is a leisure activity we do for relaxation or pleasure-- like sports, art, music, gardening, building something, collecting things, etc. Hobbies are important because they can nurture a part of you that isn't being stimulated by other aspects of your life. Hobbies give you a creative outlet and actually reboot your brain to refresh your perspective about your life, work, and relationships. Hobbies create balance and wellness.

What about video games? Tabloid magazines?

Those things should be enjoyed in moderation. Your hobby should be something that promotes health and wellness in your life. Not something that is addictive or potentially self-destructive like gambling, drinking or shopping.

Why do some of us (me) have several unfinished hobbies lying around the house? I’ve been crocheting a blanket for 10 years and its 6 miles long because I can make a square! So what do we do about it?

It is common for people to have unfinished hobbies lying around. Having too many hobbies is a case of being a “jack of all trades, master of none”. This causes us to be spread too thin and is a set up for failure and feel guilty and overwhelmed. So, it is important to be realistic about your resources, like time and money. Ask yourself, why did I pick hobby? Make sure your hobby is something that will give back to you even more than you put into it.

What if we find ourselves more involved with our hobbies than real life? I understand we all need an outlet but sometimes I feel like hobbies take you away from what’s important; for example we get sucked into reading a book series that we can't put down...?

Our hobbies shouldn’t be at expense of our work, study or relationships. We shouldn't use our hobbies to avoid the responsibilities in our lives. We should integrate our hobbies into our lives in a balanced way, rather than binging on a hobby periodically, which can set our lives off balance. Also, ask yourself, what are my values? Make sure they match how you are spending your time.

Why is it important to our mental health to have a hobby?

Hobbies are important for stress management, self care, and creating balance and wellness in your life.They provide a distraction, they can help you avoid feeling bored.Hobbies also provide an opportunity to meet new people and are an important part of being a well-rounded and healthy person.

Do you have an exercise people can do to figure out the best hobby for them?

I recommend that you:

Make a list of hobbies you think you might be interested in
Then, ask yourself these questions about each hobby on your list:

• Can I afford this hobby financially?
• Do I realistically have time for this hobby?
• Will this hobby add value to my life?
• And, will I enjoy it?

Just eliminate the hobbies for which you answered "no" to even one of these questions.
Then, take the hobbies left on your list and begin to research them by:

• Visiting meetup.com and finding a group that shares your interest and attend an event with a friend
• Sign up for a class or workshop
• Visit a local hobby store and ask for help
• Research that hobby online through sites like findmyhobby.com

Then, make a commitment. Carve out time. Establish balance, wellness & health in your life.

And what can people do to who have too many hobbies?

I recommend that you make a list of your hobbies
Then, ask yourself those same questions:

• Can I afford this?
• Do I have time for this?
• Does it add value to my life?
• Do I enjoy it?

Eliminate any hobbies that you said no to even one question. Then, forgive yourself and let the guilt go. It's probably not realistic to have more than 3 hobbies, so pick your top two or three left on the list and carve out time and make it a priority.

Once you experience the rewards of creating balance and wellness in your life with a hobby, you will be very motivated to maintain your hobbies as part of your regular self care routine.

Great I am getting on with my homework I hope everyone else does too...Thanks for helping us out today, Joyce!