Most people think of hobbies as a way to “switch off” after a long day. And sure—relaxation matters. But new research suggests hobbies can do something else too: they can spill over into your work life and boost creativity, engagement, and a sense of meaning on the job—especially when you approach your hobby with intention.
A study led by researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Erasmus University Rotterdam explored a concept called “leisure crafting,” which basically means shaping your free time in a purposeful way through goal setting, learning, and connection.
What is “leisure crafting”?
Leisure crafting isn’t about turning your hobby into a side hustle or making your free time feel like work.
It’s about doing your hobby in a way that helps you:
- Set your own goals (even tiny ones)
- Learn or improve over time
- Connect with other people (or get feedback/support)
In other words: instead of passively consuming entertainment, you’re actively building something—skills, relationships, and personal momentum.
The study’s big takeaway: hobbies can “spill over” into work
In the UEA report, the researchers found that leisure crafting didn’t just help people outside the office—it was linked to more meaning at work and more creative behavior on the job.
Interestingly, the researchers noted they were surprised to see a stronger effect at work than in people’s personal lives, possibly because many participants already felt relatively okay outside of work, while work had more “room for improvement.”
What the researchers actually did (and why it matters)
This wasn’t just a “people who have hobbies are happier” survey.
The research team ran a short intervention with almost 200 working adults (average age around 46). Participants watched a brief video and created a simple plan for approaching their hobby more meaningfully—through control, learning, and connection.
Then, for five weeks, the researchers checked in weekly to see how it was going, what worked, and what participants wanted to adjust. They compared results to a control group that didn’t do the hobby-planning exercise.
The people who did the leisure crafting plan reported:
- More meaning in their work
- More creative behavior at work
- And among participants over 61, more positive emotions overall
Why hobbies might improve creativity at work
Even if your hobby has nothing to do with your job, leisure crafting can train the same “muscles” that creativity depends on:
- Autonomy: Choosing your own goals builds a sense of control (which can spill into confidence at work).
- Growth: Learning in your free time keeps your brain in “curious mode,” which supports idea generation.
- Connection: Sharing your hobby with others creates feedback loops and social energy—two things that often fuel creative thinking.
A simple “leisure crafting” plan you can try this week
If you want the benefit without making your life complicated, try this 3-step approach:
- Pick one hobby you already like (or one you’ve been meaning to try).
- Set a tiny goal for the week (example: “cook one new recipe,” “draw for 20 minutes twice,” “learn 5 guitar chords”).
- Add one connection point
- do it with a friend
- join a group/class
- or share progress with someone who’ll encourage you
Keep it small and doable—the intervention in the study was built around simple actions, not life overhauls.
The takeaway
Hobbies don’t have to stay neatly “outside work.” When you approach them with intention—control, learning, connection—they can make your work feel more meaningful and help you show up more creatively. And that’s a powerful reminder that people aren’t just workers—we’re whole humans, and what helps us grow outside the office can help us thrive inside it too.