Imagine a life where you do nothing but work, study, and sleep, with no fun or excitement to break up the routine. Sounds boring, right? That’s why hobbies are so important, because they add enjoyment and purpose to our lives, giving us something to look forward to when things get stressful or tiring. But hobbies aren’t just about having fun; they actually help us in many ways, from reducing stress to teaching useful skills that can help us in the future.

Hobbies are a great way to relieve stress, especially when life feels overwhelming and we need a break from everything going on. Whether it’s playing basketball, painting, or baking, doing something enjoyable helps take our minds off our problems and allows us to relax. It’s like pressing pause on life for a little while, giving us a chance to recharge before we go back to dealing with school, work, or anything else that might be stressing us out.

I had the chance to interview a senior here at South El Monte High School, Jairo Contreras, who enjoys working out and playing basketball, Jairo say’s, “My hobbies help me relax. It’s like a way of coping.” Not only are hobbies fun, but they also teach important skills that we might not even realize we are learning. Playing an instrument helps with patience and focus, while reading improves vocabulary and creativity, which can be useful in school and beyond. Even video games, which some people think are a waste of time, can teach problem-solving and quick thinking, which are helpful in real-life situations. Jairo shared, “My hobbies helped me learn to be more responsible and helped me be a better person in general.”

Hobbies can also help us meet new people and make friends, which makes life more exciting and enjoyable. “Yes, I have made a lot of friends through my hobbies,” says Jairo. Joining a club, a sports team, or an online group gives us the chance to connect with others who share the same interests, making it easier to bond and have fun. Even solo hobbies, like writing or photography, can bring people together when we share our work and find a community that supports us. Balancing hobbies with work or school can sometimes be tricky, but it’s possible. “My hobbies help me balance work and life because I can focus on my work first and decide to do my stuff later,” Jairo also added “I sometimes decide to do my hobbies late at night if my day is busy from the afternoon.”

At the end of the day, hobbies make life better by keeping us entertained, helping us grow, and giving us a break from stress. Without hobbies, life would feel dull and repetitive, making it hard to stay motivated. Jairo started working out because they wanted to improve themselves. “I didn’t like how I looked, so I started hitting the gym,” he said. “I started playing basketball because I wanted to try something new, and it was fun. I started to like it.”

If you’re thinking about picking up a new hobby, don’t give up too soon. Jairo Contreras advised, “The advice I would give to someone else who’s trying a new hobby is to not give up on your hobbies. Even if it’s hard at first, keep going and do what you want to do.” So if you don’t have a hobby yet, now is the perfect time to explore different activities and find something you love, because you never know how much it could improve your life!