5 Hobbies Which Can Surprisingly Boost Your Productivity

Some view hobbies as a distraction. They see it as something which (although it’s improving their taste in life) gulps time and sometimes a lot of money. But instead of taking it as a double-edged sword, why don’t you focus on how productive your hobbies could make you? At the end of the day who wouldn’t want to improve a skill and become more efficient at the same time. Here are some hobbies that can boost your productivity.

1. Hiking

Although many may look down at this type of hobby because of the intense physical activity involved, it is noted that hiking could improve your mood and make you more positive. Hiking has a way of reducing your stress and anxiety and channeling your energy into more focus. With hiking you are able to clear yourself from distractions and take full advantage of what nature has to offer you. According to another study, hikers scored 50% higher during a creativity test after they had spent four days outdoor. This study attests to the productivity you can attain by staying closer to nature where you can not only relax your mind but have enough time and space to reflect.

2. List-making

Many may not consider this a hobby. But it is! Possibly that is why it could fit into the subject title. List-making is organizing everything into lists. With list-making you can get out all of your thoughts in order which will prepare you for things when you want to get them done. How beneficial and how productive can list-making be? Perhaps you need to consider that many celebrities like Richard Branson , Heidi Klum and Sandra Bullock have reached their level of success by making lists.

3. Playing Video games

Many see playing video games in the negative light. They consider how it can consume your time and make you an addict. However, according to scientists from Queen Mary University of London and University College London (UCL) playing certain types of video games can help to train the brain to become and improve strategic thinking.

“Previous research has demonstrated that action video games, such as Halo, can speed up decision making but the current work finds that real-time strategy games can promote our ability to think on the fly and learn from past mistakes,” said Dr. Brian Glass from Queen Mary’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences,

4. Listening to music

Music is regarded as a triumph of human creativity. It becomes important to discover if music can boost ones creativity and productivity.

According to researchers however, “a series of experiments has investigated the relationship between the playing of background music during the performance of repetitive work and efficiency in performing such a task. The results give strong support to the contention that economic benefits can accure from the use of music in industry.”

This study has shown that music can be effective in raising efficiency and productivity. So whether you play a musical instrument or put on a CD, playing certain songs can have a calming effect on any environment.

5. Playing Golf

One of the benefits golf as a sport has over other sports is the leisurely pace at which the game goes. Playing 18 holes could take up to five hours. During these five hours playing this game with other people could offer bonding and relaxation. You also have to concentrate on getting the best shot and trying to beat them. Exercise such as this makes you a better team member and hinders you from feeling anxious. According to a 2013 study by Princeton University researchers, participating in such sport prevents brain cells that cause anxiety from firing. Playing golf improves your focus, calmness and performance.

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