March Challenge: Make Time for Creativity, Rest, & Hobbies

It seems we are surrounded by stressors—work obligations abound, the pace of life can seem overwhelmingly fast, and the news is an endless cycle of negativity.

What can we do to combat this? How is it that some people thrive and others crumble under the pressure?

This March, we challenge you to take a positive step: make time for a protective factor.

What Is a Protective Factor?

Protective factors are situations, activities, habits, or attributes associated with positive outcomes. Positive Psychology tells us that protective factors help us with self-regulating, cultivating interpersonal strengths, and making meaning in our lives.

One Way to Engage a Protective Factor: Make Time for a Hobby

Making time for a hobby may seem frivolous or selfish, but we encourage you to challenge those ideas. Hobbies have been proven to boost both mental and physical health, sometimes even for days after engaging in the activity. 

Making time for a hobby can be one important way to prioritize our health and protect ourselves against negative outcomes. Consider the following ways to carve out time in your busy schedule:

• Dedicate a few hours each week to something you enjoy. Schedule it in your calendar and make a date with yourself (or the people you engage in your hobby with, if it’s a social endeavor).

• Take micro-breaks during the day. Keep your book, art journal, or crocheting close by, and look for available downtime to engage (even if it’s only a few minutes while you’re on hold on a phone call, for example).

• Check your screen time. Many of us spend hours on our phones and devices each day. Consider if you can reclaim any of this time and devote it to your hobby.

• Make it a family affair. If you’re concerned about taking time away from your family obligations, consider hobbies that you can do with your partner or children. Are there board games you could learn together? Could you take hikes or work on a craft project as a family? These can be opportunities to bond—and also teach children about the importance of making time for hobbies.

Looking for a New Hobby?

Hobbies can fall into a number of categories. Some can be social (like team sports) or solitary (like writing). Hobbies can take you outdoors (like hiking) or be done from a cozy couch (like crocheting). 

For a long list of hobby ideas, see this article from Local Adventurer.

If you have questions about hobbies or other protective factors, feel free to reach out to LEAF at (607) 432-0090.

Sources:

Local Adventurer. “101 Hobbies to Start in 2025 – Listed by Types of Hobbies.” Accessed February 5, 2025. https://localadventurer.com/types-of-hobbies/. 

Utah State University. “How Hobbies Improve Mental Health.” Accessed February 5, 2025. https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/how-hobbies-improve-mental-health. 

Wilson, Christina R. “What Are Protective Factors in Psychology? 36 Examples.” Positive Psychology, November 29, 2021. https://positivepsychology.com/what-are-protective-factors/#protective-factors.