People are being urged to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing, after new research revealed that one in three people spend just 42 minutes per day doing something they enjoy – which works out at just three percent of their daily lives.
The call comes from adult education college, City Lit, which points to data showing that full-time workers in the UK work two-and-a-half weeks more than the EU average as a key reason for the demise of the hobby. The average commute has increased by five minutes over the last 10 years too, illustrating why so few of us feel we have time to embark on a new hobby, the charity argues.
Psychologists agree that hobbies can be a great way to unwind and relieve stress¶, however, data shows we’re spending less time than ever on cultural pursuits·, with these latest figures suggesting we spend just three-percent of our day doing things we enjoy.
Now City Lit is calling on the UK to reclaim some of this time and spend it on hobbies they enjoy, that will enrich their lives while reducing stress and anxiety.
The college has created a new interactive quiz to encourage Brits to get back to being a country of hobbyists. Dubbed the Random Course Generator, the handy tool suggests suitable courses based on the ‘Big Five’ OCEAN personality traits:
The learning college hopes that the new tool will encourage people to take up learning experiences that they might not have pursued before but that suit their personality type and so will have a big impact on their lives. Popular courses at the college include ‘Jewellery-Making Weekend’, ‘Chinese: Beginners Made Easy’ and ‘Piano Taster’.
Chris Jones, director of Sales and Marketing at City Lit, said: “It’s unfortunate that long hours at work and lengthy commutes are resulting in many people being unable to invest time into enjoying themselves through an enriching and rewarding hobby.
“We’re urging people to make a special effort to carve some time out for themselves because it really can do wonders for your health and wellbeing.
“Lots of people don’t take up courses because they’re not sure what they will enjoy. We’re delighted to announce the launch of our Random Course Generator, in the hope that people can find something new and interesting to get stuck into. The right hobby can really help people to unwind from the daily stresses of a long working day or lengthy commute.
“Learning isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing and there’s a huge variety in the types of things we enjoy and the way in which we learn – but most of us find great enrichment in learning something new.
“We hope our Random Course Generator will encourage people to expand their knowledge and skill set, while finding genuine enjoyment and fulfilment in experiencing something new.”
What’s your most prominent personality trait – and what learning experience suits you best? Find out here: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/prominent-personalities-could-personality-test-reveal-your-true-passion