EHP FYI
Newsletter from Employee Health Promotions
January 2018
Hobbies are a Source of Wellness
Hobbies are much more than activities we do for fun or things we engage in because we like them. They can be channels through which we can experience personal growth, expand our social circle, and receive physical and emotional benefits. Here are some reasons why having a hobby is a good investment of time and energy.
Reboots The Brain
Today, many of us live busy, rushed lives, struggling to balance our time between work, home, and family. As a result, our minds constantly tackle multiple problems at the same time, overwhelming our brains in the process. Because hobbies are single tasks that require concentration (like reading a book, woodworking, or playing soccer) they give our minds the opportunity to shut off the multitude of thoughts by focusing our minds on the task at hand. This streamlines our thoughts and allows our brain to take a break and relax, leaving us refreshed and renewed.
Opportunity To Be Ourselves
Hobbies can also give us a way to express ourselves and explore parts of our personality that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to. Arts, crafts, sports, and even collecting can be great channels for self-‐expression. This can be especially healthy for those of us that spend most of our days doing something that doesn’t permit us to show who we are. So in many ways, hobbies help us define ourselves, and can give us a since of purpose.
They Connect Us With People With Similar Interests
It is true that hobbies can help us find a place of solitude, but even those that prefer to engage in solitary activities can’t hide their excitement when interacting with someone that likes to do the same activities as they do. Solitary gardeners can spend hours talking with the floor associate at their local gardening shop, and even book enthusiasts find it hard to contain their glee when they meet another avid reader.
It’s in our nature to want to connect with people that share our same interests, and hobbies can be a great way of entering new social circles and making friends.
Strengthens Our Self-‐Esteem And Releases Stress
Developing and mastering a skill fills us with a sense of accomplishment that boosts our confidence and self-‐esteem, both of which positively impact how we lead other areas of our lives. Hobbies also allow us to put our worries aside, and the mental focus they provide help us release accumulated stress, which makes us feel happier and helps us be more productive at work and at home. -written by Roberto Figueroa
Interested? Here are a few more articles on the subject:
FEBRUARY 10K-A-DAY!
VITAL Worklife Employee Assistance Program
Phone number is: 1-800-383-1908.
Website is: http://vitalworklife.com username-mankatoschools, password -member
Other Resources for Your Wellness
- MAPS Community Education and Recreation classes and events are advertised in the seasonal brochure each Fall, Winter and Summer. Employees are eligible for a $10 fee reduction for a class in each brochure. Each individual must register and provide their employee email address and work site. Contact the CER office at 507-387-5501 for more information. KEY IDEAS: East Pool Punch Card, Pottery Lab, Intro Classes in Arts, Craft, Dance, Fitness
- READY! for Kindergarten. At the time of a requested paternity/maternity leave, an employee is entitled to two (2) years of READY! for Kindergarten Classes advertised in the seasonal Early Childhood Brochure. Registration is conducted through the Early Learning Office by calling 507-625-4620 or stopping by the Family Learning Center, 820 Hubbell in Mankato and completing the paperwork process.