As an adult, you’ll likely feel as though you’re simply too busy to make time in your routine for a hobby. After all, you may already feel stretched thin between work, childcare responsibilities, and social commitments. Despite this, hobbies should be an integral part of your weekly routine.

This is because various studies have found that hobbies are good for both your mental and physical health. For example, “people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from low moods, stress and depression.” In some cases, unlocking a new hobby can aid career progression!

As such, the best way to start the new year is to pick up a hobby. While you have plenty of options to choose from in this regard, one of the best is playing a musical instrument. Read on to find out more!

Playing an instrument is good for your mental health

While hobbies, in general, are a great way to boost your mental health, learning to play an instrument is incredibly beneficial in this regard. This is because playing music has a calming effect on our minds, which helps to reduce our body’s production of the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol. On a similar note, playing an instrument on a regular basis can boost your cognitive skills and abilities, which is great news for your brain health as you get older.

Playing an instrument is a great way to escape

Whether you are shopping for keyboards & pianos or picking up a guitar, your new instrument will provide ample opportunity to escape the chaos of everyday life and lose yourself in a new and interesting hobby. After all, learning to play an instrument requires a high level of focus, which means that you’ll be able to leave the rest of your worries (and thoughts) behind while playing. 

In addition to this, many musicians feel as though playing music (as well as listening to music) is a great outlet for their emotions. This is because it provides you with a vehicle through which you can express yourself at times when you cannot find the right words. Similarly, playing positive music when you are not feeling your best can help to turn your mood around.

Playing an instrument can open doors within your career

Playing an instrument can also help open doors within your career, even if you aren’t working within the music industry. This is because it allows you to develop a range of transferable skills, such as effective time management, focus, and problem-solving skills – all of which can be applied to the workplace. Not only that but pursuing your hobbies could mean that you realize you’re in the wrong career and could mean that you begin to look into careers for music lovers instead. Remember, we spend the vast majority of our adult life working, which means that we might as well get some enjoyment out of what we do!

Playing an instrument does not have to be expensive

While learning to play an instrument does incur some upfront costs, such as purchasing the instrument itself, following this, it is a relatively low-cost endevor. For example, while face-to-face lessons can help you to rapidly develop new skills, you can always teach yourself for free! There are plenty of resources online that those who are learning to play an instrument for the first time can utilize, such as video tutorials that talk you through the basics, such as chords and chord progressions, or how to play your favorite songs! 

Over time, you may find that you may even be able to earn money through your hobby, such as by playing live at parties and events. As such, the initial investment may well pay for itself over time.

Furthermore, it is important to note that you may save a considerable amount of money by buying an instrument second-hand instead of buying it brand new. They are often still in great condition despite being a fraction of the original price, though be sure to see it in person before committing to the purchase.

In short, there are many benefits tied to playing an instrument, whether you played as a child and are feeling the urge to pick up an instrument again or will be doing so for the first time. For example, playing an instrument for any period of time can help sharpen your mind, develop new skills, and perhaps, most importantly, improve your mental health.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started (or playing) today!