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What former U.S. presidents can teach us about relaxing

Between schoolwork, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities and hanging out with friends, sometimes it can feel like there’s not enough time in the day for everything we want to do. Often when we’re feeling overwhelmed, our hobbies can take a backseat.

However, taking time to enjoy hobbies can be a big part of managing stress. In fact, our former U.S. presidents can serve as an example of this. Many of them found time to relax and enjoy favorite pastimes, no matter how busy or demanding their schedules were. Some saw this time to unwind as a crucial part of the day. If you find yourself struggling to find time for hobbies, here are some options for fitting them into your schedule – inspired by our former U.S. presidents.

Make things

Working on creative projects and making things can be a relaxing and satisfying pastime. Among other hobbies, Dwight Eisenhower enjoyed painting landscapes. Before he became president, Andrew Johnson was a tailor. Even during his presidency, he would sometimes insist on making his own suits.

If you enjoy making things but feel like you’re short on time or supplies, there are on-campus resources to take advantage of. Check out Pinterest & Popcorn events this semester to meet fellow Buffs and participate in free crafting projects. There are also spaces on campus that are open to all students and encourage tinkering and working with others. These include the Innovation Station, Idea Forge and BTU Lab.

You can also browse BuffConnect to find student organizations around different creative hobbies. If you don’t see one that matches your interests, consider starting your own organization.

Sports and exercise

John Quincy Adams began every day with physical activity. He would often go swimming in the Potomac River, or go for a long walk if it was too cold for swimming. Many former presidents have also enjoyed jogging, golf, basketball, wrestling, boxing, bowling and dancing as favorite pastimes.

Physical activity is a great stress reliever. No matter your schedule or interests, the Rec Center offers many options for you to find your fit:

Read

Getting lost in a good story can be a great way to relax at any time of the day. Many presidents read in their free time, including Thomas Jefferson, Millard Fillmore, Gerald Ford and Barack Obama.

If you feel like you don’t have time to read for enjoyment, check out audiobooks. Whether you listen on your walk to class or while you’re at the Rec Center, you can still get the benefits from reading without needing to sit down with a physical book.

While reading can be a solitary hobby, it can also be social. Consider joining a book club to meet others with similar interests. Check out student organizations on BuffConnect, groups at the Boulder Public Library or events at the Boulder Book Store on Pearl Street.

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