Solo Session: How your Hobbies can help progress your PhD?

Hello students and graduates, Welcome to PhD Launch, the podcast of Late Night talks in which PhDs have a drink and talk about their research topics, hobbies. We all have one or more that we dedicate ourselves to following a long day of work. This applies to us as PhDs as well, after long hours researching at a lab or at a library, we seek joy in what we love doing, whether it's knitting, powerlifting or cycling. For example, I used to do karate as an after school activity and Fast forward into my PhD, it became a hobby of mine, practicing what I had learnt for many years without overwhelming myself into an everyday activity. Our past hobbies are often left behind to give space to new ones whilst undertaking our PhDs which can help us to increase productivity, make better decisions or develop networking skills. And since the PhD requires so much attention and fast-paced progress which sometimes prevents you from having leisure time, why is having hobbies beneficial for your mental health and your physical being? Here are three reasons why having hobbies during your PhD are important and how they are essential throughout this arduous journey. One, balance. Having time for your hobbies during your PhD means that you'll find time for both your research and leisure. While it does not need to be a rigid, having a balanced lifestyle aligned with your doctoral goals will improve your mental health and your time management skills. You may even have a light bulb moment in between your hobbies and you would jot it to your research afterwards. 2 Social Skill Sets Even though your hobbies are about relaxation and a distraction from your dissertation, they are helpful to develop soft skills. This seems a contradiction, but unconsciously you're improving yourself when doing something that you enjoy and take it into social gatherings. For example, if your hobby is baking and you get into competitions like Bake your thesis, not only will your baking skills be acknowledged, but also it becomes an opportunity to enhance your social skills when talking about your PhD accomplishments and your personal goals. And three, bringing lost joys. Recalling my times when I did karate. It now became a hobby during my PhD where my brain still transmits fond memories and the joys of when I used to go to classes and learn various qatars and kubite techniques. Whatever hobby you have, it will help you to disconnect temporarily from your PhD duties and allow you to reminisce about the moments that you made you happy then and make you happy now. The PhD is a long term achievable degree with ups and downs and having new hobbies or returning to old ones are essential to break yourself from your research and at the same time having feelings of enjoyment and creating social opportunities. They're meant to relax and recharge your mind and so don't dismiss them too soon from your PhD journey. Thank you all for tuning in, it has been a pleasure.