From Passion to Payoff:
How Side Hustles Boost Your Health and Happiness
Hey Readers!
This week, I want to talk about the importance of a side hustle and how it can boost your health and happiness.
Over the past month, I’ve talked to so many people struggling. From burnout to bad bosses, to feeling isolated and “not sure” what their true passion is, each story shared one central theme: a longing to know one’s true purpose and the ability to share that purpose with others in a way that fosters independence and fulfillment. So many people are sitting on their laurels, not living their best life. Why? What’s stopping them? And what does a best life mean, anyway?
For me, living my best life means exploring my passions, interests and talents in ways that help others and drive my creativity.
As a first generation college graduate that always worked full time (and sometimes more than one job) while going from Associates Degree to Law degree (while also raising a family), I understand the struggles of finding the time and energy to pursue the things we love. But I am here to tell you from experience that making the time and effort for your passions is necessary for your well-being.
Why is it important to have a side hustle? Check out these top ten reasons why side hustles are important for your health and happiness.
1. Boosts Your Mental Health
Side hustles give you the opportunity to do something new. It helps break the monotony of your main job, allowing you the opportunity to have a creative outlet that reduces stress. Maybe you’ve always had a passion for baking, hiking, or caring for animals. Side hustles give you the chance to pursue these passions. This change of pace is a positive boost for your mental health.
2. Increases Physical Well Being
Side hustles keep you moving. They can help you learn how to establish healthier routines and lifestyle choices. For example, instead of watching streaming television to reduce your stress after work, you will find yourself focused on doing things that bring you joy. Even if your side hustle doesn’t involve physical activity (like fitness training, dog walking, or even travel blogging) you will be more motivated and inspired to set up better sleep and eating schedules because you will want to make sure you have the time to pursue your hustle.
3. Provides a Creative Outlet
Side hustles give you the opportunity to indulge in your creativity. Whether it’s painting, baking, playing the piano, scrapbooking, creating crafts or workouts, developing new recipes, or pairing new things together (maybe you write poetry and host nature walks while reading poems)- whatever “it” is, it will give you the opportunity to fuel your creativity in new ways.
4. Prevents Burnout
I know what you are thinking. A side hustle sounds like more work. But you are thinking about it wrong.
When you are living each day in the same routine, succumbed to whatever mood your boss is in or new initiative going down at your workplace, your every day is very much controlled by others. It becomes easy to get swept up in workplace drama, feeding your stress.
When you have a side hustle, those things that are outside your control at work matter less and less. Why? Because you have other things to think about and look forward to. Not only that, when you are doing something every day (or even every weekend) that you love, you will look forward to the time you have doing it. When you are following your passions, you see that your energy shifts. You get excited! That passion and excitement will shine through you, also inspiring and helping others, all of which will leave you feeling more fulfilled.
5. Can Reduce Financial Stress
Your side hustle might even reduce some financial stress. Even if (and most likely you will) need to invest money into it, you will reap rewards. There’s something powerful about creating something, offering a service, providing an experience, and then earning money from it that feels so independent and inspiring.
And it doesn’t have to be complicated. I once heard a story about a woman that loved nothing more than being with her dog. People used to ask her if they could take pictures of her pooch. One day, she charged people $5 a photo. Soon, people were lining up at her local park for pictures! Eventually, an advertisement executive was at the park, saw this going on, and offered a contract for her dog to appear in commercials. Sure, this might sound like a once in a lifetime opportunity, but think about it this way: You never know where your side hustle will lead you if you don’t try. The universe has a way of opening up to us when we put ourselves out there.
6. Enhances Confidence
Side hustles require you to step outside of your comfort zone. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is necessary for growth. Every time I hit publish on Substack or set up my book booth at local events, I am outside of my comfort zone. But I’ve found that the new routines and change of pace is healthy. It pushes you to experience and do all kinds of things you may not do without the side hustle. It forces you to think about new things. As you accomplish even the smallest of goals, you will continue to build your confidence, as you learn and grow.
7. Expands Social Networks
Side hustles will expand your social networks in ways you never imagined! It gets you out of the house and meeting new people. You’ll meet people that share your interests, or maybe, if you are lucky, people that don’t share your interests. The more you are out there, doing your thing, the more diverse people you will meet. Human connection is important, and I don’t mean sitting behind a screen talking to people. I mean, getting outside with other humans in real time. Side hustles give you the opportunity to expand your social networks while connecting and learning from others.
8. Promotes Lifelong Learning.
Side hustles boost cognitive health because there will always be something to learn. It might be as simple as learning new techniques for painting, a new recipe for the cupcakes you love to bake, how to market your skills, driving to new places to share your skills, etc. No matter what you are pursuing, you will learn something new. Learning is essential for continued cognitive health.
9. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Side hustles can reduce your stress and anxiety because they provide a way for you to channel work-related stress into something more fulfilling. You will no longer care about what “so-and-so” said or did at work because you will be too busy focusing on your own mental health as you pursue your passions. Side hustles that align with your personal goals and values will also provide you with a more holistic sense of satisfaction, contributing to overall wellness.
10. Fosters Independence
Side hustles will help you achieve small milestones that can create emotional highs, boost motivation, self-work, and happiness. With a side hustle, you are your own boss. That creates a sense of control and ownership as you foster your own creative projects that will inspire not only you, but others as you venture out on your journey.
Conclusion
These are just some of the ways a side hustle can help break you out of mundane routines to increase your mental, cognitive, and physical health. Meaningful side hustles promote a balanced lifestyle, nurturing your emotional well-being. Side hustles don’t have to be complicated either. Just pick something you love and start spending more time doing it. Once you get going, you will quickly see that when you pursue your passions, you have more energy, focus, and sense of purpose.
So, what are you waiting for? What passion are you going to pursue first?
Till Next Time,
Sarah
AKA A Busy Lady
P.S. I’ve been having lots of fun at the several events I’ve been going to, promoting my novel, All These Threads of Time. This past weekend I did a pop-up book event at a local winery. Next stop? The NE Pumpkin Festival. Learn more about my events here.
P.P.S. Stay tuned for some exciting news about my next book, Rebel Writers: The Genius Behind the Pen. Here’s a sneak peak at the front cover and blurb . . shared with my Substack followers before anyone else! A special thank you to author and designer, Kelsey Gietl who created this cover design!
What if the secret to unlocking your creativity lies in the footsteps of literary legends?
One writer embarks on a transformative journey, visiting the homes of iconic authors in search of inspiration. What she uncovers is more than a spark-it’s a profound connection to the struggles and triumphs of history’s greatest literary minds.
From Mark Twain’s study to Herman Melville’s Greylock Mountain, Sarah Crowne steps into the worlds that shaped literary genius. With key reflections that transcend time, Crowne invites you to share in the adventure as you reignite your own creative passion.
For the movers, the shakers, the dreamers, and the creatives—this journey is for anyone seeking more. Don’t wait! Join the adventure of Rebel Writers: The Genius Behind the Pen to discover the inspiration and creative bravery that could unlock your own masterpiece.
Do you like time travel and murder mysteries? Help fifteen-year-old Sylvie Mitchell as she outsmarts a time traveling serial killer in my novel, All These Threads of Time.
Purchase the book at Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or message me for a direct purchase.
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Wonderful.
Great tips, this is so necessary!!