Can a hobby become a burden?

Are people trying too hard with their hobbies? Gen Z in particular are being accused of getting too competitive with their pastimes. Having a hobby has, according to various metrics, become a lifestyle trend in 2026. We look at what the term "hobby-maxxing" means. Is it a good or a bad thing? What happens to your brain when you do your hobby, and when did hobbies become a significant part of our lives?

Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Beth Ashmead Latham, John Murphy and Annabel Deas
Studio Manager: Hal Haines
Programme co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Penny Murphy