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Did you know you can improve your mental self-care quotient with a hobby? In today’s podcast, you’ll learn about the importance of hobbies for keeping our lives balanced.
What IS a Mental Self-Care Quotient?
We’ve all heard about IQ tests (intelligence quotient tests) and how Elon Must has an IQ of around 155 and Terence Tao of Australia has an IQ of 230. But a high IQ doesn’t mean you’ll have a great life. Money can’t buy you love, and a high IQ can’t buy you happiness. Plenty of successful and happy people have average or below-average IQs.
Success doesn’t lie in having an off-the-charts IQ. Having a high EQ (emotional intelligence quotient) helps. Happy, productive people learn how to sustain their productivity through self-care. Many of us bought into the myth of superwoman at the expense of our health and sanity. God didn’t create us to run ourselves ragged and burn out. He even gave us a weekly day to rest!
We must take care of all four aspects of ourselves–mental, academic/artistic, physical, and spiritual. A person who learns how to care of themselves has a high SCQ (self-care quotient). This month we’ll explore each of the four aspects of our SCQ, starting with our mental self-care quotient. I’ll share actionable ways a hobby can improve your mental self-care quotient.
I’d love to hear which of your hobbies brings calm to your mind.
Show Notes
You can learn more about mental health and social hobbies here.
If you want to know more about the After-Action Review process, check out this post.
Want to learn the importance of scheduling? Check out this post!
You can read more about the types of hobbies here.
Elizabeth Scott, MS, writes about the importance of participating in hobbies here.

Come Back Next Week
Next week I’ll share how having a hobby can improve your artistic and academic self-care quotient.
God didn't create us to run ourselves ragged and burn out. #selfcare #selfcarehacks #hobbies Click To Tweet- Welcome to the Inspire Me Monday Community! The link-up opens Sundays at 4 pm, Arizona time.
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Great podcast on mental SCQ, Anita! I enjoy spending time in our rose garden each morning. And I enjoy capturing the beauty in our yard through photography, then sharing with others on Instagram. My husband’s hobby is flying drones, so when we do road trips, we both enjoy our different areas of capturing the beauty before us.
Lisa Blair recently posted…What is the Advantage to being a Fellow-Heir with Christ?
I love flowers (but, alas, my thub is brown)! What fun hobbies you have!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Find Love in the West with this Sweet, Historical Romance
Anita, through your encouragement here, I have restarted my hobby of papercraft, making Cards at the moment.
But I also enjoyed scrapbooking pages for my grandchildren’s albums which I haven’t done in some time.
Thank you for this self care post each week.
I appreciate your encouragement! 😊
Blessings, Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…A profound conversation
What fun! I admire people who craft cards!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Find Love in the West with this Sweet, Historical Romance
I, like my mom, have had a variety of hobbies over the years. Each one has fulfilled a creative need that I had at the time.
Barb Hegreberg recently posted…A Corpse in the Freezer (An Izzy Palmer Mystery – #0) by Benedict Brown [REVIEW]
You make a good point, Barb! We may need different hobbies for different seasons.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Spine-Tingling Books to Read This October
The myth of Superwoman really threw me off course in my younger years! Now I realize how very important emotional self care is. Thanks for sharing another wonderful post, my friend!
Shelbee
Thank you for stopping by! I’m glad we’re starting to acknowledge the myth and return her to her place (comic books–not real life!).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…How to Tell If You Chose the Wrong Road in Life
Hobbies are so important – for relaxation, creativity and just forgetting about everyday stresses. Listening to music, running and making jewellery are my favourite hobbies.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I love running, too! I’ve never attempted to make jewelry, though :). It sounds like fun!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Find Love in the West with this Sweet, Historical Romance
I do think hobbies are so important. Of course, I have my writing as a creative outlet, but I think perhaps doing something with my hands would be good, too. I need to see if I can talk my husband into listening to this podcast. He is bipolar and retired and has no hobbies. I think he would be healthier if he would have at least one!
Jerralea Winn Miller recently posted…A Recap of A Rich and Satisfying Life
Congratulations on finishing the Write28Days project! Let me know what your hubby thinks of the podcast!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…How to Tell If You Chose the Wrong Road in Life
Hi Anita,
Just yesterday my son mentioned that he needs a hobby. The information you’ve shared has my mind churning. Such good information! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Tammy
Tammy Kennington recently posted…6 Reasons We Can Have Gratitude
I hope he finds one he really enjoys!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Find Love in the West with this Sweet, Historical Romance
The Wonder Woman Myth made me feel like I had to do everything and do it well – once I realized I didn’t, that I only had to do what God designed me to do, that liberated me holistically. I like to knit, I write, I do photography. I bake – and these hobbies link me to my people and my community. They open doors to conversations and new relationships. A good hobby – allows connection into the community, into quiet time with God. I am so glad I don’t have to everything well!
Maryleigh recently posted…God’s Comforting Season: A Recipe for Muddy’s Tortellini Soup
I love how your hobbies link you to your people and your community. You are spot-on in your observation that a good hobby allows us to connect with others and with God (not necessarily at the same time, of course!).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Find Love in the West with this Sweet, Historical Romance
Your thoughts make me want to return to painting. It’s been a while.
Debbie Wilson recently posted…Don’t Be Tricked: Let Romans 14 Guide You
Do it! What is your favorite form of painting?
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Find Love in the West with this Sweet, Historical Romance
I’m so thankful for Christian women who say that it’s OK/not selfish to care for yourself. I do think we are better able to care for others when we make sure we are receiving some nourishment.
Exactly! If we’re empty, we have nothing to give.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Find Love in the West with this Sweet, Historical Romance