Employers have recognized the need to help employees maintain their mental health during the COVID-19 crisis. As such, they have updated and expanded their benefits to support workers as they navigate the pandemic.
While employer- provided benefits are a huge help, it is also important for employees to take initiative and be proactive about their mental health. One way to improve mental well-being and alleviate stress is by learning a new hobby. Indeed, over one-third of Americans have picked up at least one new hobby during the pandemic, according to a poll by MixBook, a photo design company. Ninety-four percent of those surveyed said their new hobby helped their mental health.
Some of the top hobbies Americans have taken up during the pandemic include cooking and baking (63%) and playing video games (41%). A quarter of respondents have gotten into hiking or started to paint and draw, and 28% have picked up new meditation habits, according to the survey.
“Having a hobby is a great way to spend your spare time and unwind from your daily routine ,” according to a blog by Connect Health & Community, a not-for-profit community health service in Australia. “Spending time on activities that you enjoy can help improve your mental health and well-being. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from low moods, stress and depression.”
The 2021 class of Rising Stars in HR and advising shared the new hobbies they picked up during quarantine. Scroll through and learn how they made their mental health a priority with these activities.
