Why Skipping Hobbies is Wrecking Your Nervous System

Do you ever feel guilty for spending time on things that don’t feel “productive”? Or maybe you’ve let go of hobbies altogether because they don’t seem to “count”?

In this episode of Building Resilience, we explore why skipping hobbies is actually wrecking your nervous system, and how bringing them back can help restore your energy, identity, and joy.

Hobbies aren’t just frivolous or “nice to have.” They’re nervous system nourishment. They help us regulate, re-engage with life, and remember who we are outside of our roles and responsibilities. Whether it’s painting, gardening, collecting, or listening to music, hobbies can pull you out of survival mode, help you find your “play zone,” and bring you back to life.

If you’ve been burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode, this conversation will remind you why fun, curiosity, and creativity are not optional extras, they’re essential for resilience.

We’ll explore:

• Productivity pressure disconnects us from joy and meaning.
• A true hobby is about presence, curiosity, and enjoyment, not performance or profit.
• Rest has two forms: stillness (quieting) and nourishment (reigniting).
• Burnout often comes from doing too little of what feels alive.
• Hobbies guide the nervous system into the “play zone”, that sweet spot of safety + engagement.
• The nervous system sometimes just needs something that lets it “be.”
• Exploring hobbies opens safe containers for creativity, joy, and regulation.

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