The Importance of Hobbies and Social Connections on Stress and Academic Preformance

Hello Simmers!

As September is wrapping up and midterms are fast approaching (for some they’ve already started 😨) - self care and social time is more important than ever! When school gets busy and we’re stressed, there's a tendency to isolate either by locking in or punishing ourselves for not having done all of this earlier BUT research and I say that we should be doing the exact opposite! 

1. Hobbies and spending time with loved ones increases serotonin levels and reduces cortisol levels, which is not only better for your overall mental state and health but your physical health as well. 

2. Increased stress and poor sleep hygiene cause cognitive fatigue, lower focus and brain processing. 

3. Hobbies make you smarter! Reading, playing an instrument, painting, chess all help stimulate different parts of the brain allowing for an increase of neuroplasticity. 

If none of these reasons have convinced you all of the importance of hobbies and social time or you already know all of this but you have NO TIME stay tuned for future posts 😉 

XOXO, Gossip Girl