Collecting and playing with trading cards, like Pokémon, has exploded in popularity.

After long classes, students’ brains are exhausted, so they scroll through social media until they fall asleep. 

This routine continues day after day. 

According to an article on The Importance of Having a Hobby: Enhancing Life Through Passion and Creativity by the Atlantic International University published on Jan. 15, 2025, “A hobby is more than just a pastime; it is a gateway to personal fulfillment, mental well-being, and self-discovery. Engaging in activities you are passionate about can provide numerous benefits, from stress relief to enhanced creativity, fostering a richer and more balanced life.”

Research has shown engaging in a hobby improves people’s cognitive function, problem-solving and mental health. 

In the long term, people aged 65 or older have reported better health, less depression symptoms and a reduced risk of dementia. 

Hobbies not only change up students’ routines so they are not stuck repeating the same stressful cycle of classes and homework, but they also benefit their mental and brain health as well. 

Natalie Gulka, a student of Health Sciences in addiction and mental health counselling practicum student in Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Wellness Services, shared hobbies are a good way for students to find some time to decompress, engage in self-care and separate school and personal life. 

“Often we can get caught up in the stress of assignments and our class schedules that we forget that we are more than just students; we are actually people too. Pursuing hobbies can help boost your creativity and give you some space to express yourself and some of the stress you may be feeling,” said Gulka. 

Kassidy Richards is a new student at the University of Lethbridge who moved away from her family to attend the school. 

Richards’ hobbies outside of school include sewing, digital art and trading card games.

 She emphasized these hobbies have not only been beneficial for her mental health as it’s become a form of meditation and challenging herself, but has also allowed her to meet people in the city. 

“Moving away from family was quite difficult for me, but being able to branch out to groups that I was interested in, such as Pokémon, allowed me to make a social group and a sense of belonging. It’s important to take time for yourself and do something that you enjoy so you don’t get burnt out so easily with school,” said Richards. 

Joshua Ponich is a first-year apprenticeship student at Lethbridge Polytechnic and the pressure of getting his work completed in eight weeks has led to a buildup of stress and bad mental health days. 

Ponich shared when he has moments of feeling completely overwhelmed, he’ll reach for his hobby of trading card games to have a temporary diversion from his schoolwork. 

“After stressing about labs and quizzes, I need the space and time to reset my brain and I do that by going out with my buddies to play some trading card games. It challenges my mind in a new way that distracts me from school,” said Ponich. 

Gulka recommends hobbies like painting, drawing, crochet, knitting and diamond dotting to students. 

These are hobbies that can be done at home and people can be creative while doing them. 

“From personal experience, doing things with my hands, like painting or other crafts, is something I always recommend to people who are looking for new things to try. There’s a cool brain-body connection that comes with doing things with our hands that can bring a sense of relief and de-stress,” said Gulka. 

Lethbridge Polytechnic holds small events like Smiles and Snacks and Donuts and Discussion (and crafts) weekly so students can learn new hobbies and make connections.

It can be difficult as a busy student to find time for things other than school, but a small effort of dedicating even 10 minutes a day to a hobby can be a great building block to a healthier, happier life.