Studies have found out that repeated activities, even if these are hobbies, may cause burnout and drain mental and physical energy. The diversification of work and interests has a powerful effect on cognitive functioning (Lee et al., 2021). Furthermore, burnout cannot only affect a worker, but also a person engaged in any daily activity. Sometimes, hobbies may turn into obligations. Switching between hobbies to avoid burnout is the best way to feel a breath of fresh air.

Table of Contents

• Causes of Hobby Burnout
• Benefits of Switching between Hobbies to Avoid Burnout
• Ways to Switch Between Hobbies to Avoid Burnout Successfully

1. Causes of Hobby Burnout

Burnout resulting from one and the same hobby in which you engage regularly has several causes:

• Fatigue and boredom from repeated actions, as doing the same activities day after day limits life opportunities;
• Limits that you impose as a result of being involved in repeated hobby activities can be stressful;
• Mental and physical overload from some hobbies can drain your energy.

Therefore, do not limit yourself with a monotonous hobby.

2. Benefits of Switching between Hobbies to Avoid Burnout

Switching between hobbies can turn beneficial on different levels:

• Cognitive: The research studies by Lee et al. (2021) have found out that diversification improves memory processing abilities and cognitive processes. New activities and their diversification activate dopamine release, increasing your motivation to continue doing what brings joy.
• Psychological: Starting early in life with introducing diversity to hobbies can save your psychological well-being. It serves as a powerful tool for preventing depression (Lee et al. 2018).
• Creative thinking: Switching between hobbies stimulates different brain parts. It can help you learn faster and solve problems using creative ways.
• Energetic: Diversification can bring harmony to your daily life through directing energy towards various activities, namely, physical, cognitive, or relaxation.

As a result, you can get rid of limiting character traits:

• Perfectionism: Try to stop perfecting your perfectionism, as it may hinder you from achieving the completion of tasks in life. Switching between hobbies to avoid burnout is effective, as you focus on the process rather than mastery based on unrealistic standards.
• Monotony: Monotonous tasks hinder your development in different spheres.

Sometimes, progress is better than impeccability, and having something done is better than doing something continuously to make it perfect.

For example, when your hobby is writing, you may write something guided by your inspiration and see the result or may turn writing into a never-ending process with constant revisions, as there are no limits to the abstract concept of being perfect. An athlete engaging in some creative hobby after running can cope with physical strain.

3. Ways to Switch Between Hobbies to Avoid Burnout Successfully

These ways will help switch between hobbies easily:

• Categorize hobbies into types and choose hobby from each type: creative activities – painting or singing; physical activities – yoga or dance; cognitive learning – playing musical instruments or new language learning; relaxation hobbies – meditation or spa; social activities – interest clubs or group sports;
• Switch between hobbies depending on your energy: if you have more energy for physical exercises, choose doing them instead of cognitive learning tasks – activate different energy flows in the body and mind.
• Treat hobbies as something that is your choice but not obligation: remember that hobbies should be pleasant activities, meaning that if you are tired, you can choose other hobbies without setting unrealistic expectations to engage in them like a daily job.
• Create flexible schedule for hobbies: Flexibility will help you switch naturally and save your energy. It will help you avoid burnout and will support your enthusiasm to continue doing different activities.

Takeaways

• Switching between hobbies is important to avoid burnout, improve psychological state and cognitive processes, and increase creativity and energy
• Hobby burnout is caused by monotony, limits, exhaustion, and overload
• Rotating hobbies can bring cognitive, psychological, physical, creative thinking, and energy benefits
• Try to cope with monotony and perfectionism
• Choose hobbies from different categories, consider your energy level, and ensure flexibility
• Do not limit yourself with activities in life
• Experiment with new hobbies and you will not be limited by one direction
• Switching between hobbies can make your life exciting

References

Lee, S., Charles, S. T., & Almeida, D. M. (2021). Change is good for the brain: Activity diversity and cognitive functioning across adulthood. Journal: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(6),1036-1048. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32025733/

Lee, S., Koffer, R. E., Sprague, B. N., Charles, S. T., Ram, N., & Almeida, D. M. (2018). Activity diversity and its associations with psychological well-being across adulthood. Journal: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 73(6), 985-995. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27621306/

Ong, A. D., & Lee, S. (2023). Variety in pleasant activities is associated with improved mental health: Evidence from two national samples of U.S. adults. Affective Science, 5(2), 90-98. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39050039/