Want to have fun but feel like you’re wasting time?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans have an average of 5 hours of leisure time per day and more than 50% of this time is spent watching TV. Among the youngest populations, two and a half hours are spent on TV as opposed to only 12 minutes reading, although reading is actually a more effective method of reducing stress.
Channeling your free time towards productive activities can not only help you reduce guilt at “wasting time” (which can lead to more stress), but also filter over into your professional productivity. Studies show that leisure time can increase labor productivity. And, since many of us don’t actually have enough time to commit to solely having fun, it’s increasingly important to find ways to enjoy ourselves while being productive.
Here are some tips:
1. Make your hobbies into a side profession.
Do you enjoy writing? Or maybe scrapbooking? Almost any hobby can be made into a side profession. Thanks to the internet age, you can write for a blog, sell arts and crafts on Etsy, or take photos for a commission. If you enjoy sports, you can post instructional videos to YouTube, coach a local sports group, or join a sports community where you can meet other professionals.
Before you try turning your hobby into a profession, sit down and consider how much time you usually spend doing the hobby and how…
