Get creative, be happy

Joe Robinson, author of Don’t Miss Your Life, wrote, “Find a hobby, and you discover a new universe.” Robinson adamantly advocates developing a leisure skill set. Why? Because we are taught how to make a living, but not a life.

Having fun and connecting with others is a quintessential part of Bobcat life. That’s why OHIO touts more than 550 registered student organizations and 30- plus club sports: from the magic and hammock clubs to the rugby and Quidditch teams.

My research on the impact of leisure demonstrates that college is the time to develop the knowledge and skills for making a life—in the classroom and beyond. Undergraduate students spend more time engaged in recreation and leisure than any other activity besides sleep. Why is spending all this time on leisure important?

Simply put, leisure increases happiness.

Engagement in recreation and leisure constantly ranks as one of the highest facilitators of happiness. It is a greater predictor of life satisfaction and quality of life than gender, education, age, health, work, income, and marital status.

The benefits of being happy are numerous. Happiness fosters sociability and social activity, altruism, liking of self and others, mental and physical health, more fulfilling marriages and friendships, and greater involvement in community.

Increasing happiness also has value in the workplace. Happier people get more job interviews, secure better jobs, are evaluated more positively by supervisors, show greater job performance and productivity, and have increased income and organizational citizenship. Happier people are also less likely to show counterproductive workplace behavior, absenteeism, turnover, and burnout.

How does leisure make us happy? The DRAMMA model of leisure and subjective wellbeing offers one explanation, with the following psychological outcomes:

• Detachment-Recovery— using leisure to detach and recover, both psychologically and physiologically, from work and other obligations
• Autonomy—freely choosing to participate in a leisure activity
• Mastery—challenging and providing opportunities to improve skills and achieve new levels of success
• Meaning—gaining something important or valuable in life through leisure
• Affiliation—connecting socially with others through leisure experiences

Ryan Scott, BSRS ’17, captain of OHIO’s Quidditch team—a hybrid of lacrosse, rugby, and dodgeball—said, “being part of the team was one of the most meaningful parts of my OU experience.”

He recognized that the sense of community surrounding the team is just as important for those who play five minutes of a game as it is for those who play most of the game.

“We are really good friends outside of the team. We eat, hang out, and study together. We have a group of people who can join together and recreate amidst all the stressors of college life,” Scott said. “We determine our own group goals and at the end of the day, the stakes are never that high. You lose a Quidditch match. No problem, there’s still the inherent value of getting active for the sake of some good ol’ lighthearted fun. It is a great outlet for people.”

Scott’s outlook is echoed by Anthony Rohn, former OHIO student and current moderator of the group Humans vs. Zombies: Athens. The group of more than 150 University and community members has been active for more than 10 years.

“The games offer a break from reality and an opportunity for you to run around with friends,” Rohn said, adding that through the tight-knit Humans vs. Zombies group, he’s made lifelong friends.

Why join groups like these? Passions, hobbies, and recreation are the fastest track to happiness, yet many find it hard to put play on the calendar. Some feel they need to reach a certain amount of productivity before taking time to enjoy themselves. This limits potential happiness.

Robinson encourages commitment to interests and passions, since they are “… what make life worth living and give brains what they need to keep from going stir crazy: engagement, discovery, and camaraderie.”

After college, work schedules, family obligations, electronic distractions, and stress can leave little energy for self. Things that keep us from leisure activities often fall into three categories: intrapersonal (lack of confidence, fear, lack of energy); interpersonal (time schedule, different interests, lack of someone with whom to participate); and structural (lack of accessibility, cost, lack of knowledge).

The happy news? It’s possible to overcome constraints and include—or reintroduce—recreation. Here are some tips:

1. Make a list of what you enjoy or what you yearn to do.
2. Develop leisure goals. Commit to them.
3. Find groups or organizations that match your interests. Commit to attending four meetings, classes, or gatherings. Unsure how to find a group? Contact your local parks and recreation department.
4. Try new activities. It may take several tries to find what you truly enjoy.

So, go out there, find a hobby, and discover a new universe. Now is the time!

Wise students mix studying with recreating, says Danny Twilley, senior lecturer of recreation and sports pedagogy in The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education. A well-rounded student balances learning how to make a living with having a life, he says.

OHIO boasts more than 550 registered student organizations and 30-plus club sports. Click the playlist in the above video’s upper left-hand corner to watch how Bobcats create a balanced life by inserting some happiness.