Hobbies are part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As responsible women we understand our obligations to others. The question we may miss is do we understand our obligations to ourselves? How many of us fill all the cups around us only to find our own is empty?

We women often feel that life is far too hectic and busy to try to squeeze in another thing on our “to-do” list. Ask yourself how much time you actually take for yourself, away from the pressures and obligations of job, family and community. To give back the most, you need time to be yourself, to do things just for the sheer enjoyment of it, to refresh yourself. Hobbies can help you create this renewal of spirit. 

Hobbies are beneficial because they allow women the chance to refresh and revitalize mind and body.  By taking time for yourself, doing what you love, you can clear your mind of the stresses of life.

Whatever hobby you choose, remember that not only are you allowing your creativity to flourish but you are also improving your overall well-being.  

Hobbies create the opportunity for your creative side to thrive. Each of us has a wellspring of hidden talents to discover and nurture. By trying and testing different creative outlets, you will be more likely to discover your own particular talent. Then by working at that talent or hobby, your creativity will flourish.

Many women find that by participating in what is at first a hobby, they have opened the door to a whole new and exciting career. Learning how to bead or silversmith can become a lucrative career in jewelry making. Sewing enthusiasts may find a market for unique clothing or bags they have designed. An evening course in ceramics or pottery can lead to a career as a potter. Perhaps your love of cooking will spur you to write a cookbook.

By practicing a hobby, you will not only have a chance to unwind, but may even create beautiful things to share with those close to you. You may never want to commercialize your hobby, but the fruits of your hobby can make great gifts for friends and family, something unique and from the heart. Hobbies can even save you money. If sewing or knitting is your forte, you can make unique clothes for your children or yourself. Gardening is a hobby that can help you save on your grocery bill as well as give your family the benefit of fresh and organic produce.

What could be more rewarding than teaching something you enjoy to those you love? By participating in a hobby, you have the chance to share something with your children, your spouse, or your friends. Many hobbies are worked at and enjoyed with a group of like minded people. You may love to sail, ski or hike with your family. Perhaps you are led by your hobby to join a local group of amateur artists, or a weaving guild. Maybe its an online group of friends that you play interactive online games with. Playing baseball with your children can lead you to become a little league coach.  

The most important step when finding a hobby is to choose something that fits with your lifestyle and your budget. The best thing to do is make a list of things you love to do, things you like to do and things you absolutely hate to do. Take a look at what you love and like and go from there. If exercise is your thing, look into joining a gym, an exercise class, running group or a team sport. Take up swimming, aerobics, dancing, cycling or hiking with a group. Yoga and tai chi are other options, especially beneficial for women, since they both emphasize getting in touch with your inner being and learning to relax your body. You can practice them in your home once you've had a few initial classes.

If artistic pursuits interest you more, look for an art group or class to join. Ceramics is another popular hobby you may be able to work at in a local studio. Find or start a book club if reading is your way to relax. If you've always loved words and writing, maybe blogging or hubpages could be for you. Sewing and knitting are creative hobbies you can do on your own, whenever you have some spare time. Needlepoint is another hobby many women enjoy.

Scrapbooking, stained glass, candlemaking, quilting - all these are possibilities that may resonate with you. Perhaps you like woodwork, carpentry or welding. These traditionally male-oriented activities are being pursued by women more and more.

Hobbies for women include an overabundance of options and activities from which choose. What you need to remember is to find something that fits your current lifestyle and wallet.

Very often, hobbies aren’t really tapped into until a woman reaches her “retirement” age, probably because women feel their time is often not their own. Think of painters, like Grandma Moses, who developed that talent in later life, and became famous.

Childhood interests can be picked up later in life.

New interests can be found while enjoying a current interest or hobby.

What is important to remember is to find something you truly love.Once you find that special niche, you will begin to reap the benefits of having a fulfilling way to release your creative side while reducing life's tension and stress.  

Hobbies are really just the activities that give you pleasure.

Through them, I've made long-standing friends, created things I'm still proud of, and even made some money. I've always loved to draw and I have participated in art classes throughout my life. I'm still learning and enjoying painting with watercolours today. I learned weaving from my mother, and after my second daughter was born, renewed my interest in that craft. I participated in weaving guilds for over 25 years, as a learner and later a teacher. I sold my tapestries, household items, and unique clothing and found a deep satisfaction in that creation.

Gardening is another of my passions, both landscaping and vegetable gardening, that I'll enjoy forever. I've planned and planted gardens everywhere we've lived. I've helped my husband do carpentry, built fences with him, and cleared trees. Many wouldn't think of these as hobbies, but they have all brought me immense satisfaction.

I have hiked and camped with my brothers, my husband and daughters, and friends. I experienced nature at its finest as I hiked the 5 day West Coast Trail with my daughter and husband. I stood on a mountain top with my two younger brothers. I learned to swim at age 42, so I can now enjoy snorkeling when we visit the Caribbean or Hawaii.

Each of these 'hobbies' or activities has added immensely to my enjoyment of life, has brought me dear friends, and has allowed me to have fun with those I love.

Are you living your life to the fullest?

James Dean once said,

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."

Take the time. Pursue your passions. Allow your dreams to become your reality.