A hobby can be almost anything that a person likes to do in his free time. Hobbyists keep pets, build model ships, watch birds, climb mountains, and grow flowers. Hobbyists also paint pictures, go to concerts, play and perform on musical instruments. They collect everything from books to butterflies and from coins to stamps.
People have hobbies because these activities offer enjoyment, friendship, knowledge and relaxation. Sometimes they even make some money by following a hobby. Hobbies help people relax after hard work, and provide a balance between work and play. Hobbies also offer more interesting activities for persons who have retired. Anyone, rich or poor, old or young, sick or well, can follow an interesting hobby.
Hobbies can also help to keep a person's mental and physical health. Doctors have found that hobbies are helpful for sick people to get better from physical or mental illness. Hobbies give them something to do, and offer interests that keep them from thinking about themselves.
In early years, most people were too busy making a living to have many hobbies. But some persons who were free did enjoy hobbies.
People today have more time for hobbies than before. Machines have reduced the time that they must spend on their jobs. More people are retiring at an earlier age than before. Those who have developed hobbies never need to worry about what to do with their free hours.
Sir William Osler, a famous Canadian doctor says, "No man is really happy or safe without a hobby."
