Having a hobby that we enjoy brings US joy and enriches our lives. It gives us something fun to do during our (11) _______ time and affords US the opportunity to learn new skills. There are many (12) _______ why all of US should have at least one hobby, but here are the main advantages:

1. It makes you more interesting. People who have hobbies have experiences and stories that they can share (13) _______ others. They also have specialized knowledge that they can teach to anyone who also has an interest in the same topics (14) _______ they do.

2. It helps to (15) _______ stress by keeping you engaged in something you enjoy. Hobbies give you a way to take your mind off the stresses of everyday life. They let you (16) _______ and seek pleasure in activities that aren’t associated with work, chores or other responsibilities.

3. Hobbies help you become (17) _______ patient. In order to develop a new hobby, you have to learn how to do something that is brand new to you. The odds are there will be a learning curve, and you will need to be patient in order to build your skills.

4. Having a hobby can help your social life and create a bond with others. A hobby is something (18) _______ you can frequently enjoy with other people. Whether you join a club, play in a league, or just gift others with the fruits of your labor, a hobby is a great way to meet and get closer to people who have the same (19) _______ as you do.

5. It increases your confidence and self-esteem. The odds are that if you really enjoy an activity, you are usually pretty good at it. Any activity that you can excel in is a(n) (20) _______ for you to build your confidence and develop pride in your accomplishments.