Dictionaries define ‘Hobby’ as an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation, but not as a main occupation. 
We live in a fast-moving world, with limited hobbies and little sports. Many people complain about the stress levels in their lives, and how even after putting in their best efforts for the betterment of their professional and personal lives something is still amiss.
New Zealand offers a good work life balance. The work environment is a decent mix of challenge, with the quintessential laid back Kiwi attitude.
This opens up time to follow our interests. There is a plethora of options available to all of us.
The basic purpose of a hobby is to provide an outlet for any of our innate talents and interests. Hobbies provide us the means to remain physically fit and mentally alert outside our regimented professional lives.
Team spirit
Having sports as a hobby can be the catalyst in ensuring we remain physically fit, and away from the temptations of being a couch potato after coming home from work. Team-based sports also increase the spirit of team work in humans and help widen our social circle.
Even individual physical pursuits like Yoga, Zumba and Gymnasium come with myriad physical benefits.
A healthy body houses a healthy mind.
Hobbies like painting, photography, gardening and writing are also popular and can prove beneficial in helping us lead a well-rounded life. Whether or not they discover a hidden Picasso or Chetan Bhagat in us, they would certainly lead to productive utilisation of our time, giving us a definite sense of fulfilment.
Elders following hobbies are a good role model to children at home. Children exposed to creative and sporting activities would adopt and try to excel in them. They would also have a holistic upbringing.
Excuses are many to find in not pursuing a hobby. The most common are a lack of time and resources. Time always needs to be found and if we have a strong will to pursue an interest, there can always be slots created during the day to follow those interests. These need not be expensive. Let us be proactive and follow a hobby or activities relating to sports.
I am happy that Indian Newslink has instituted the Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards to motivate our youngsters to perform well in various sports activities and recognise and reward achievers.
