I frequently rely on the phrase, “Everyone needs a hobby!” when I’m confronted with an activity and/or behavior that I find baffling and don’t know quite what to say (case in point: David Arquette’s mission to rehab the image of clowns). But scientific research shows us that we humans do indeed need hobbies! They greatly improve our minds, bodies, souls, and investment in the economy community. Yahoo Life spoke with three experts — marriage and family therapist Sandra Kushnir, clinical psychologist Alison Tarlow, and psychologist Peggy Loo — about what constitutes a hobby, which kinds are the most beneficial, and the many perks you get from cultivating them:

Confidence & mindfulness: “Mastering a new craft or achieving a physical milestone fosters a sense of accomplishment, boosting overall confidence,” says Kushnir. Practicing hobbies that require focus or intensity, such as painting, running or rock climbing, “can induce a flow state,” explains Kushnir. “This immersive experience promotes mindfulness, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.”

Improving brainwork & preventing burnout: It’s no surprise that challenging hobbies stimulate the brain; this in turn can enhance cognitive functions. “Learning a new language or picking up knitting can improve memory, problem-solving skills and overall mental agility,” Kushnir says. Hobbies can provide a much-needed break from work and other stressors. Whether you’re ducking out to the garden, taking some time to freewrite or heading to a weekly pottery class, these activities offer a respite form the daily grind and work wonders to prevent burnout.

Processing emotions & mood-lifting: “Nonverbal forms of expression such as art, music or dance can be powerful tools for processing emotions and trauma,” Kushnir explains. These activities can’t replace traditional “Talk therapy” — and certainly can’t replace necessary medications — but they do provide a different, complementary avenue for healing to be used in tandem. One benefit not to be overlooked is that hobbies can be just plain fun. Finishing that woodworking project or nailing that new guitar riff can elevate your mood and provide a sense of accomplishment.

The most helpful types of hobbies: “I tend to think of hobbies as similar to self-care practices: They should evolve as you do, and meet your needs wherever you’re at,” says Loo. “If you’re in a high-stress and busy time of life, hobbies that allow you to slow down and take a break for yourself might feel great. If you have a lot of energy without an outlet, hobbies that are active or more social might suit you better.” Hobbies that are physical, social, creative or any combination of the above tend to have the biggest payoffs. Those that lead us to join a social group, such as a running club or a craft circle, are creating “opportunities for socialization that might counteract isolation and loneliness,” Tarlow says.

Hobby is in the eye of the beholder: “Hobbies are deeply personal and can vary widely from person to person,” [Kushnir] says. “Anything that brings joy, stimulates creativity or adds value to life can be considered a hobby. Whether it’s reading, watching films or more traditional activities like painting or playing sports, the key is that the activity resonates with you and provides personal fulfillment.”

[From Yahoo! Life]

Anything that brings joy, you say? I do believe these experts have just given me the go ahead to count eating as a hobby. And I DO. It’s one I engage in with vigor, tenacity, and a voracious appetite to expand my knowledge in the field. In between my dedication to the art of eating, I’ve managed to find pockets of time to delve into other, less gastronomic hobbies. More than any other activity by a longshot, it’s always been painting that plugs me right into the “flow state.” Around 10 years ago I was in the throes of severe depression, so I decided to rekindle painting as a self-care practice (though I didn’t consciously use that terminology at the time). I opted to focus on watercolors; they are quite unforgiving once a drop lands on the paper, and I thought it would be a good, metaphoric way for me to learn how to make peace with the way things unfold. What I hadn’t anticipated was how completely engaged I would become in the process, to the point where all the excess noise in my head was drowned out. It made me think of Al Pacino saying: “There is no such thing as happiness. There is only concentration.” Everyone needs a hobby in life, it might even be the making of it.

Photos credit: Cotton Bro, Leeloo The First, Miriam Alonso, Pok Rie and Tim Douglas on pexels