Maja Milojković was born in Zaječar and divides her life between Serbia and Denmark. In Serbia, she serves as the deputy editor-in-chief at the publishing house Sfairos in Belgrade. She is also the founder and vice president of the Rtanj and Mesečev Poets’ Circle, which counts 800 members, and the editor-in-chief of the international e-magazine Area Felix, a bilingual Serbian-English publication. She writes literary reviews, and as a poet, she is represented in numerous domestic and international literary magazines, anthologies, and electronic media. Some of her poems are also available on the YouTube platform. Maja Milojković has won many international awards. She is an active member of various associations and organizations advocating for peace in the world, animal protection, and the fight against racism. She is the author of two books: Mesečev krug (Moon Circle) and Drveće Želje (Trees of Desire). She is one of the founders of the first mixed-gender club Area Felix from Zaječar, Serbia, and is currently a member of the same club. She is a member of the literary club Zlatno Pero from Knjaževac, and the association of writers and artists Gorski Vidici from Podgorica, Montenegro.
Abstract: Engaging in hobbies — leisure activities pursued for pleasure rather than for work or obligation — offers significant benefits for mental and physical health, cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and social connectedness. Empirical research indicates that regular involvement in hobbies reduces stress, anxiety and depression, improves mood and overall life satisfaction, promotes resilience, and enhances social support and community belonging. Additionally, hobbies can contribute to improved cognitive performance and long-term health outcomes. This article reviews key findings from recent studies to outline the multiple advantages of having a hobby and argues that hobbies play a crucial role in holistic personal development.
Keywords: hobby, leisure activities, mental health, stress reduction, well-being, social support, cognitive function
Introduction
In the fast-paced, stress-prone context of modern life, people increasingly seek ways to preserve mental balance, reduce anxiety, and maintain a sense of meaning and satisfaction. One of the simplest — yet most powerful — ways to achieve this is through having hobbies. A hobby is a regular, voluntary activity pursued for enjoyment, relaxation, creativity or social connection, rather than for material gain. As shown by recent research, hobbies serve as more than just pastimes; they are vital tools for mental health, emotional regulation, social bonding, and long-term well-being. This paper examines existing empirical evidence to highlight the advantages of having a hobby, focusing on mental health, stress reduction, social and community benefits, and cognitive and health-related advantages.
Discussion
1. Mental Health, Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-being
Multiple studies link hobby engagement to improved mental health and lower stress levels. For example, a recent review of empirical studies concluded that participating in hobbies is associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and with greater life satisfaction and quality of life.
Leisure activities — whether creative (art, music), physical (sports, gardening), or social (clubs, group activities) — provide a “break” from daily pressures. According to an article from UCLA Health, hobbies help boost mental well-being, support cognitive function, and may reduce risks of chronic disease.
A study of students in China using a daily-diary method found that on days when students engaged in leisure activities, they reported more positive emotions, even in the context of academic stress.
Thus, hobbies act as an effective buffer against stress, contribute to emotional regulation, and help maintain mental health in periods of high demand.
2. Social Connection and Sense of Belonging
Hobbies often foster social interaction and build community, which in turn enhances a person’s sense of belonging, support network, and social well-being. A recent review on hobbies and well-being found that social interaction and community belonging are among the main benefits of hobby participation.
Engaging in group hobbies (sports clubs, music groups, art classes, social clubs) or hobbies shared with others helps individuals build friendships, share experiences, and support one another — which is particularly valuable in reducing loneliness and improving social support.
Such social benefits can also increase life satisfaction, improve resilience, and provide emotional support in challenging times.
3. Cognitive Function, Creativity, and Personal Growth
Some hobbies — especially those that are mentally stimulating (e.g. painting, writing, learning music, puzzles) — support cognitive functioning, creativity, and lifelong learning. According to UCLA Health, hobbies may help improve cognitive function and offer protective effects against cognitive decline.
Moreover, engaging in hobbies can foster a state of “flow” — deep immersion in an activity, associated with intrinsic motivation, enhanced focus, and satisfaction.
Such flow experiences can enhance self-esteem, sense of achievement, and personal growth over time, supporting mental resilience and capacity to deal with stress.
4. Physical Health and Long-Term Well-being
Many hobbies — particularly physical or outdoor activities like sports, gardening, walking, dancing — contribute to physical health: improving cardiovascular health, reducing stress-related hormones, improving energy levels, and supporting overall well-being.
In addition, by reducing chronic stress and promoting relaxation, hobbies may help lower risks associated with long-term stress exposure, such as heart disease or other stress-related illnesses.
Thus, hobbies support both mental and physical health — an important combination for holistic personal wellness.
Conclusion
Having a hobby is more than a pastime: it is a key to better mental health, emotional balance, social connection, personal growth, and long-term well-being. Research strongly supports that regular engagement in hobbies reduces stress, anxiety, and depression; boosts mood, life satisfaction, and resilience; fosters social support networks; enhances cognitive functioning and creativity; and improves physical health outcomes. Given these wide-ranging benefits, individuals — especially students and people under stress — should be encouraged to identify and maintain hobbies that resonate with their interests. For societies and educational institutions, promoting access to recreational and creative activities can contribute to population-level mental and physical health, better social cohesion, and improved quality of life.
References:
1.Cleary, M. et al. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Hobbies on Mental Health and Well-Being: A Scoping Review. (Review of 11 studies).
2.Zhang, J., & Zheng, Y. (2017). How do academic stress and leisure activities influence college students’ emotional well-being? A daily diary investigation. Journal of Adolescence.
3.Pressman, S. D., et al. (2009). Association of Enjoyable Leisure Activities With Psychological and Physical Well-Being. Psychosomatic Medicine.
4.UCLA Health. (2025, May 15). 3 Proven Health Benefits of Having a Hobby. 5.Lagunes-Córdoba, E., et al. (2022). A better way of life: The role of leisure activities on self-perceived health, perceived stress, confidence in stress management, and social support. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Uzbekistan’s Quiet Transformation: How a Young Nation Is Redefining Central Asia
In a world that grows noisier by the day, not every transformation announces itself with fanfare. Some unfold quietly—steadily reshaping the cultural and political geography around them. Uzbekistan is one such story.
For many Americans, Central Asia remains a distant concept: a region glimpsed through brief headlines or geopolitical maps. Yet, at the heart of this vast land lies a young nation rewriting its identity with remarkable speed and confidence. Over the past decade, Uzbekistan has emerged from international obscurity to become one of the most dynamic reformers in its region. Once known primarily for its Silk Road past, the country is now building a narrative equally rooted in innovation, openness, and civic awakening.
More than 60% of Uzbekistan’s population is under the age of 30. This demographic reality is not just a statistic—it is a driving force. Across universities, research centers, cultural hubs, and digital platforms, young Uzbeks are redefining what it means to be a modern Central Asian citizen. Many of them are multilingual, globally connected, and ambitiously future-oriented. They launch start-ups, initiate community projects, lead volunteer movements, and participate in nationwide reforms. Their voices are increasingly heard in public policy, education, environmental protection, and cultural revival.
In a region often portrayed as traditional and conservative, Uzbekistan’s youth represent a bold new energy—one that challenges stereotypes and invites the world to reimagine Central Asia. Since 2016, the country has introduced sweeping reforms in governance, economy, education, and international openness. Visas were liberalized, markets diversified, civil society strengthened, and new digital platforms created to support transparency. These policies do more than modernize the state; they reshape the everyday lives of citizens—particularly young people.
Public activism is growing, with youth councils, debate clubs, environmental movements, and anti-corruption initiatives taking root. Programs such as the national “Honesty Map,” created to promote integrity in public services, demonstrate a new wave of civic consciousness rarely highlighted in global media. For the first time in decades, the world is watching Uzbekistan not as a relic of the Silk Road but as an emerging actor with its own vision for progress. Uzbekistan’s transformation is not limited to politics or economics—it is deeply cultural. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent are experiencing a creative revival. Museums are being renovated, festivals expanded, and heritage sites restored with global expertise. At the same time, contemporary art, fashion, literature, and film are gaining new platforms. Young designers mix ancient patterns with modern aesthetics; filmmakers explore social themes; writers introduce Uzbek identity to wider audiences. This blend of history and innovation creates a cultural mosaic that is uniquely, unmistakably Uzbek.
For decades, global narratives about Central Asia were shaped elsewhere. But today, Uzbekistan is increasingly telling its own story—and telling it well. Its young reformers, artists, scholars, and activists are contributing to a new regional identity: one that values openness, creativity, and responsible leadership. In a century defined by chaos, uncertainty, and shifting world orders, Uzbekistan offers an alternative model of growth—slow, steady, and grounded in the power of its youth. Uzbekistan’s transformation is ,,quiet” only in the sense that it has not yet dominated international headlines.
But for those who look closely, the signals are clear: a young nation is rising, and with it, a new vision for Central Asia. As global attention increasingly shifts toward emerging regions, Uzbekistan stands ready—not just as a country with a rich past, but as a society boldly building its future.
Dildora Khojyozova, 3rd-year student of Geography at Urgench State University named after Abu Rayhon Beruni.
The forces of nemesis, and the furies, are moving around, looking for moral blemishes, and they spare neither the individual nor the society. -Anand
Bible says: Your sins will find your out. I think it applies to men as individuals, and the society as a whole.
As civilized human beings, we have set up courts to ensure justice to the aggrieved, and punishment to the aggressors who violate the laws of the country. Jails are overflowing with criminals undergoing sentences. Justice, it is said, is often delayed, and sometimes, entirely miscarried. Of late, justice eludes people due to interventions from the above, and what we come across is a jumbled face of a society which cannot recognize itself.
However, when it comes to the divine court, there are no chances of justice going astray. It may appear to be delayed, but it is definitely delivered. While human courts take cognizance of the crimes which are reported, the supreme court of gods has a sprawling campus, and it works suo moto, and does not like excess of any kind. They carry all the data of these people with them and sometimes they punish them there and then, but most of the times, they wait for the appropriate moment. But one thing can be said with conviction. No advocate, however pricey, can waylay the this court. No crooked wisdom can delay justice. The system is entirely blameless. Angels carry data which is up to date, and they act unbiased like machines which are innocent by all means, if there is any one to blame, it is man who operates them.
As in human courts, parameters regarding crime and their punishment exist in divine courts also. They fix the crime of the person, and then, award him the punishment he deserves. Only this roster is not made public. As generally believed, our judgement proceedings do not start after our death. Operation scan is going on all the time. We are under the gaze of the angels. While human laws get into action when some crime has been committed, the divine court takes cognizance
of what you think, what you feel, and then, finally, what you act.
Societies are Judged as a whole
It is all about your ‘Karma’. Lord Krishna was right when he laid stress on human action which is finally considered by gods and on the basis of which, you are granted heaven or hell. Gurbani also talks of life as a ‘karma Sandra khet’ i.e. a field where your actions matter. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that men have the power over their action only. Not on the reverberations of that act. In fact, here the Newton’s third law of an action having an equal and opposite reaction also comes into the dock, because, that may be true in a physical world, but in the metaphysical world, you don’t know what will happen to your action and how gods will react to it.
Moreover, there are thousand wrong passions doing the rounds of our blood, a thousand things which we cannot do, because of fear of the law, we are always mentally busy with things which civil society does not allow, how does that impact our score in life? There are so many people who are doing wrong things, yet they are not detected, because they are not visible to the law. How are they to be accounted for?
No doubt, we matter to the cosmos as individuals. We have a dedicated account with gods. The reason is our birth is individualized. Even in our death, we die individuals, though it may be a collective grave, as the drowning of a Titanic. But, in addition to being an individual, we are part of a society.
Unified View of Society
Who is there that takes a unified view of the people as a whole? Gods who are on mision spy, take stock of the way people behave, and then take decisions about their collective destiny. I can elaborate it by quoting the example of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s great writing ‘Babarwani’ in which he says that the tyrannical acts which Babur inflicted on the people of Hindustan could have been averted if the people had been wiser. Guru sahib says ‘Aape dos n deyee karta, Jam kar Mughal chadaya’ ie. the Mughal aggressed upon the people like a Yama, all because of their wrong deeds.
Thus, when a society fails in its morals, when people as a whole become corrupt, when people stop taking interest in good, when good deeds go unrewarded, and the murders, rapes, and evil mongers take the main space, when the society is ruled by the corrupt, and when the poor are pushed to the edge, the society as a whole is ripe for divine retribution.
The forces of the nemesis, and the furies, are moving around, looking for moral blemishes, and they spare neither individual nor the society. A layman once stopped an angel in a dream and asked, what is the punishment for people who do not stand for their rights? Pat came the reply. “Hitler. Nero. Mussolini…and….” when the angel was going to name a few more people, the man woke up from his sleep, sweating.
Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, with an opus of 190 books, is Laureate of the Seneca, Charter of Morava, Franz Kafka and Maxim Gorky awards. His name adorns the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. Anand is a towering literary figure whose work embodies a rare fusion of creativity, intellect, and moral vision who heads the International Academy of Ethics.
Why did we travel, tell me whyin the cold winter and snow,
the beaming sun gave us a gift,you ray of sunshine lit me siashra.
Why did we run to the meadows, why
in the early spring fragrance of love
we pray to the flowers of the green field,
Embraced we felt exotic intoxication.
VALENTINE’S DAY
Lora
Embroidered Valentine’s Day
on the map of love
Egnatia-Naisus street
and in passing I also took
the honey flavor
from the hot ashes
of the estinguished fire.Lora
like a blonde ladybug in the meteorite
nobody whispers
on the map of love
and the star twister out of exhausted longing
in the timeless feeling
brought the freshness of age
the kiss of the mountain like Hera from Olympus
departed in the endless today
Night.
Lora
Frozen in heat
slightly heated to the bosom of love
“I’m very cold
Lan takes me with him
tonight
I do not want flowers
a white rose
to have for Valentine’s Day!
DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH LORA
Do not fall in love with Lora, my friend,
for she has left her heart in pledge with mine.
It beats within my chest like a wave,
Like the echo of a song across the mountain line.
You may kiss her lips,you may call her yours,
but her eyes are skies without a sun,a night without a moon,
A cloud without rain,
a flame without ember burning, yet hidden in a cold bosom.
You may hold her close,
you may call her your own,
but her love she left to me in pledge,
Through ages and through time unknown.
So fall not for her gaze, young man
she is the dream of a silent yearning.
You will have a love without hope,
for her heart remains my pledge,
forever turning.
LAN QYQALLA graduated from the Faculty of Philology in the branch of Albanian language and literature in Prishtina, from Republika of Kosovo. He is a professor of the Albanian language in the Gymnasium. Lani is the Editor-in Chief of the international cultural and artistic magazine ORFEU, which is published in many languages in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. He is also the editor of the cultural show ORFEU on TV Jupiteri7 channel on YouTube. He wrote poems, stories, drama, novels in Pristina. He has written in many newspapers, portals, Radio, TV, and Magazines in the Albanian language and in English, bangu, Romanian, Francophone, Turkish, Arabic, Italian, Greek, Swedish, Hindu, Spanish, Korean etc.
