The fast-paced lifestyle has become the norm for corporate workers and students. Bouncing from task to task, the simple pleasures of life are often lost to short windows of free time in busy schedules.
For me, a busy college student involved in Greek life, clubs, and multiple part-time jobs, finding the time for leisure activities isn’t always easy. This isn’t a struggle unique to me. According to their study on Student Stress Statistics, Transforming Education discovered that “94% of American college students feel overwhelmed by their studies,” leaving them with less time to engage in their favorite activities.
While finding time for the little things isn’t always easy, it can have a greatly positive impact on mental health and overall stress levels. In their article about hobbies and mental health, Utah State University emphasizes the fact that stepping back and saying no, enabling students to lighten their load to make time for themselves. Also, taking “microbreaks” throughout your day has been proven to increase productivity. Instead of using this lull time to scroll through TikTok or other social media platforms, engaging in your favorite activity is a great way to promote mental health. So, from one busy girl to another, here are a few low-commitment and minimal-time-investment hobbies to keep life fun.
Finding YOUR ideal movement
After years of spending time in the gym, I’ve finally found the workout routine that suits my body and schedule best. While this took time for me, it was ultimately an invaluable experience for both my physical and mental health. Trying new pilates studios, gyms, and walking locations keeps working out fun, and allows me to find where I thrive in the fitness space.
Now that I have found what movement works for me, I look forward to engaging in some form of movement every day. Going to the gym is an escape for me, a way to alter my headspace and connect with my body. Not only that, but finding a friend to go to the gym with makes it a social experience and eliminates the intimidating nature of the gym environment.
If an indoor exercise environment isn’t for you, look to the trends! In the past few years, “hot girl walks” have become widely popularized. Not only can walking improve confidence and physical health, but it can also improve mental health. The American Psychological Association’s study on walking and mental health revealed that 1 in 9 cases of adult depression could be prevented if individuals fulfilled the minimum exercise requirement of 150 minutes of activity per week. Walking is the perfect low-impact exercise allowing individuals to take in the views of their neighborhood, get vitamin D, and listen to their favorite music or podcasts. Getting into a podcast is a personal favorite activity of mine because it gives me a space to take the advice of others. Whether it is someone in my career path or a woman my age, I can put both my struggles and goals into perspective!
healthy Recipe making
Coming from someone who loves to cook and bake, incorporating healthy recipes into your week adds excitement to something that might otherwise feel like a chore. For me, finding healthy recipes online is a way to leverage social media in an intentional way.
Not only that, but cooking your own meals allows for an element of mindfulness when it comes to nutrition, better connencting you with the food you are eating and how it fuels your body! This is invaluable for your physical health, and it allows for an element of practical creativity that can’t be found in many other hobbies.
Additionally, cooking and baking have been an amazing mode for me to connect with my housemates and family, either by doing so in their company or using them as critics of my creations!
dream journaling
Starting the day off with dream journaling is a quick and refreshing way to glamorize the transition from sleep to wakefulness. The Cleveland Clinic emphasizes the value of keeping a dream journal, allowing for improved mindfulness, connection with emotions, and self-reflection.
Reading: Try one book From every genre!
Not only is reading an amazing way to wind down at the end of the night, but it also provides endless learning opportunities! Trying one book from every genre is a great motivation to continue reading, and allows you to find your calling in the literature space. Independently, each genre offers its own unique benefits to the reader. Fiction channels a unique and distant environment for readers, providing an escape from the struggles of the real world. Nonfiction offers an expanded vocabulary and an opportunity to learn about past and present events. No matter what genre you develop a liking for, reading is such a valuable use of spare time!
Become a coffee connoisseur
Personally, caffeine is often a critical part of my study, gym, and morning motivation. Creating your own coffee routine is a fun way to spice up your week, whether it be making your own syrup or trying every coffee shop in your town and discovering your favorite. Coffee is full of creative potential, and is also an amazing way to connect with others!
Outdoor sports
Living in Southern California, not taking advantage of the sunny weather and beautiful views is a huge disservice to one’s mental health. The UC Davis Health Center claims that “regular access to green spaces” has been linked to lower levels of depression and improved concentration. Luckily, living in Southern California presents endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Going outside to play volleyball with friends, tossing a football with family, or even paddleboarding is a great way to escape from everyday life and responsibilities. Incorporating these activities into your weekly routine will not only improve your skills in these areas, but also bring you closer to those around you.
Overall, finding hobbies not only adds excitement to my life, but it polishes and develops skills that would otherwise go untouched. While the busy lifestyle so many college girls are living today doesn’t allot much time for these hobbies, carving out time for them is invaluable to mental health, physical health, and overall well-being!