In 2013, the Romanian hacker Marcel Lazar cracked open email accounts belonging to the members of George W. Bush\u2019s family. Lazar found paintings by the former president of animals, still life, even some self-portraits. Lazar released the images to the media, many people were surprised to discover Bush\u2019s hobby.<\/p>\n
They need not have been. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight Eisenhower all painted. So did Winston Churchill.<\/p>\n
Why would world leaders, whose work was far more demanding than yours or mine, make time for a hobby? Simple. They understood that having a hobby is a vital practice for rejuvenation.<\/p>\n
Sadly, many don\u2019t follow that example. According to Gallup, the average American workweek is closer to 50 hours than 40, and one in five works 60 hours or more. A study by the Center for Creative Leadership found professionals and business leaders who carry smartphones tend to work more than 70 hours a week.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re living in what German philosopher Josef Pieper called \u201ctotal work,\u201d where labor drives life, not the other way around.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t have to be that way. Despite living in a culture that celebrates overwork and sees exhaustion as a badge of honor, you can make a different choice. You can rise above a burnout culture with these five rejuvenating activities.<\/p>\n\t\t