Be honest, when was the last time you did something purely for yourself? Not to be productive, not to post online, not to add to your CV, but simply because it made you feel alive.
Between assignments, part-time jobs, family obligations and the endless scroll of social media, hobbies quietly slip down the priority list. Yet research increasingly shows they are not optional extras. They are essential. Many suggest you need three types to function at your best.
A hobby that keeps you moving
This is not about 6:00 am gym routines or marathon training. It is simply about moving your body in a way that feels good. Physical activity is strongly linked to reduced stress and lower risk of depression, particularly among young people, according to studies published in the British Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science.
It could be swimming, football with friends, a dance class, or even long evening walks. It does not need to be intense or aesthetic. It just needs to exist. Your body and mind benefit either way.
A hobby that lets you create
Creativity is not reserved for artists. It is a form of expression available to everyone.
A 2024 study in Frontiers in Public Health found that creative activities are linked to higher life satisfaction and a stronger sense of meaning. That might be cooking, journalling, sketching, knitting, or simply experimenting without worrying about being “good” at it.
The point is not output. It is release.
A hobby that challenges your mind
Scrolling reels does not count, however convincing it feels.
Mentally engaging hobbies help maintain curiosity and cognitive sharpness. A 2023 study in Frontiers in Public Health also links such activities with a reduced risk of cognitive decline later in life.
This could be learning a language, reading, chess, puzzles, or exploring a topic that has always intrigued you. The aim is not mastery but stimulation.
Life in Dhaka often feels like a constant sprint. But a life built only around productivity leaves large parts of you unattended. One hobby for movement, one for creation, one for curiosity, the formula is simple, but it covers more than it seems.
Start with one. The rest tends to follow.
