Are you stressed? These stress-relieving hobbies will help you unwind and relax…
Everyone gets stressed once in a while; it’s part of life.
Firstly we need to acknowledge that we cannot stop or control the challenges we face in life. But we can control the way we react and respond to these challenges.
Studies show that prolonged stress can cause health problems if not addressed. Anxiety is just the way your body reacts to dangerous or unpleasant situations in life.
It is important to recognize the trigger to stress to avoid overreacting and regret words you would say to someone you wouldn’t if you were not stressed.
Mental Health
The most important part of the process is to be “aware” of our body and try to understand when and where the trigger starts.
For some, it is in their chest, for others on their throat or stomach—some start to have a headache.
As we are unique human beings, the way we feel and how we react to stress will be different.
With practice, you will recognise the trigger, and you can develop better ways to respond to them without getting overwhelmed, disorientated, lost, and completely unable to deal with the situation.
Some people need external support, therapies, but if you are “aware” of the situation and take a step back before you respond, you will start to see the situation with other eyes.
You will start to observe yourself and learn how your body reacts to oppositional and unexpected situations.
Keep calm in stressful situations.
You can achieve this “awareness” by having a hobby or many hobbies. Having an activity outside your daily responsibilities.
Something that gives you pleasure, so your mind and body will relax easily and automatically.
Relieving stress can help you escape any mental or physical health problems. Lucky for you, there are many stress-relieving hobbies that you can engage in to manage and reducing stress levels.
There is a lot of stress that comes with the lifestyle we live today. It is essential to take time just for you as a form of your self-care routine.
Hobbies can be miles away from your many responsibilities or work, but they have proven to be an excellent way to “recharge your batteries.”
They are also fun to do. Hobbies also work if your life is a little dull and there is no much to do, they can boost your morale to get through the days and break the monotony in your life.
If you want to take on a new hobby to cope with stress, you can experiment on different hobbies and find what you love. The more you explore, the more chances of finding what works for you.
It might be consoling to know you are not alone in battling stress; most of us have dealt, is dealing or will deal with stress sometime in our lives.
I hope the list below will help you to find a hobby to help with your anxiety.
Stress Relief hobbies to help you relax
Listening to Music
Listening to music is a perfect stress reliever, it can help slow your heartbeat, lower blood pressure and even calm you down if you feel anxious.
First, make sure the piece you are listening to is enjoyable because listening to music you don’t like will increase tension.
Slow music is soothing and will help relax your muscles; fast music will help you concentrate and be alert.
Music therapy is excellent, especially when you have a busy schedule because you can listen to music while cleaning, cooking, eating, or paying bills.
Learn the lyrics of your favourite music can be a stress reliever. Remember, the aim is to give your mind a “break” from situations that are out of your control and gives you anxiety.
So, if you are trying to memorize a lyric and learn how to sing a song, your mind will need to focus on this and not worry.
You can also learn how to play an instrument and create music yourself.
Drawing
This is one of my favorite hobbies; you can read more here.
Drawing for relaxation is personal and beautiful. Drawing is one of the art therapy ideas that are good for coping with stress.
I know we joke a lot about stress, but it can be hazardous to your health. Stress doesn’t have to come from big situations, things like what to get for dinner or even traffic causes stress.
Drawing provides a way of processing stress and manages even past events that are causing you stress.
Have you ever heard of the expression ‘in the zone’? That is when your mind is lost in the process of creating art; it’s almost like meditating.
It allows your brain to release all the stress and tension in your body.
Drawing for relaxation provides an outlet for all the pent-up stress.
If drawing isn’t your thing, you can find other art therapy ideas like coloring books or painting.
See some inspirations on my Facebook account and make sure you follow me to get to know what I am up to! Click here.
Take a Walk
Take a stroll outside once in a while; it will do you a lot of good.
Apart from burning calories, walking can also be stress-relieving.
You don’t have to run many miles to relieve stress, take slow-paced walks; you can even take your dog with you.
Have you tried to hug a tree? No, it is not a joke. Try it! You will not believe how much calmer you will feel after your first hug!
Walking can also be a group activity, take your friends or family for walks because social support improves your stress resilience.
A walk is an excellent way to get out of the toxic environment and enjoy nature.
Most people turn to food when they are under a lot of stress; walking is also a way of exercising and keep fit.
Journaling
Remember when you were a teenager, how you used to keep a diary hidden in your room?
Journaling is just the same; start writing your feelings and thoughts down.
The journaling process will help you understand them better.
You can also transform your journal into a colourful scrapbook. There are so many amazing supplies that once you start, you cannot stop.
Choose a theme, a special colour to start, add photos, images, sticker, ribbons and give life to your journal!
Writing as a hobby is a great way to help you control your emotions and reduce stress.
One of the main things that cause stress is the lack of a proper way to express your thoughts and feelings.
Make journaling a regular hobby, take a few minutes each day and write, this can be very helpful, it’s a great way to unwind especially on that stressful day.
You can keep a journal on your computer; it doesn’t have to be an old-fashioned pen and paper.
Journaling doesn’t have to be boring; you can sip tea while you do it.
Reading Books
What was the last book you remember reading? If you don’t remember, it is a sign that you might find reading something helpful.
Social Media does not count here! I am talking about reading a story and be immersed in a different world.
Although nowadays swiping through your phone is considered reading, I am talking about a real book here! Find that book you have wanted to read for so long and start reading today.
Reading is part of day to day life, whether reading an email, newspaper or even road signs. But do you ever take time to read for leisure? Reading lowers your heart rate and helps in releasing tension in your body.
By starting to read a book, from the first page, you are allowing yourself into a fantasy world that helps you escape your daily stressors. Choose a book that captures your attention. If books are too hard for you; find a magazine of interest and create time to read it every day.
Baking
Not everyone knows how to bake, but you can learn baking.
Cooking on its own can be very therapeutic. Often when people are stressed, they look for a distraction.
Following a baking recipe will require your full attention and is very engaging, which can be a good distraction.
Baking triggers many senses like taste, touch and smell with all the spices and the ingredients.
The triggers can help you remember happier times.
Baking is a great coping mechanism when you are stressed.
There is always something very gratifying when you create something from scratch, the same applies when you have gone through all the mixing, rolling, pouring, and shaping… finally you have your cupcakes ready in front of you!
Baking as a hobby will leave you with less stress and a lot of baked goodies.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the hobbies that is quite effective to combat stress.
There is something about plunging yourself into the pool, ocean or lake that feels amazing.
If you are not a good swimmer, enrol for swimming lessons and once you are good enough, find a place you can access a pool regularly.
Trust me; you will wonder why you had not started swimming sooner!
Swimming helps with anxiety and stress and keeps your heart in good shape because it’s a full-body exercise.
It’s a fun hobby that you can do with your friends.
Gardening
Gardening is a great way to relax. It involves taking responsibility and caring for plants without added stress.
It also gets you to interact more with nature and breathing that fresh air can be more helpful than you think.
Whether it’s one or several plants, gardening still has the same effects.
Ensure your garden is easily accessible, so when you need a break from all the stressors, you can grab your garden gloves and go!
Besides relieving you of stress, gardens have social benefits too; you can grow a flower or a vegetable garden.
Knitting
Knitting is a great way to reduce your stress levels.
Aside from creating something beautiful to use or gift someone; knitting is a meditative process that keeps your mind busy and at peace all at the same time.
You can also knit and donate your creations to charity, helping others make you feel good about yourself.
So forget the mentality that knitting is just for the elderly and try it today.
Practise Hobbies Relieve Stress
Learning a new hobby helps in putting your free time to good use.
When you practice stress reducing hobbies, it will make you calmer, and you would start to react positively to challenging situations.
If you are stressed with all the daily activities in your life, finding a hobby is an excellent way of having fun while cooling off some steam.
No one can avoid stress, so it is crucial to find a hobby that helps you reduce stress and anxiety; choose a hobby you enjoy.
Try something new before settling on one hobby.
The experience of learning a new hobby can also be a good distraction.
Make hobbies part of your everyday activities don’t just wait for the weekends.
Try some of these stress reducing hobbies and see how you cope with stress.
You can also learn how to make your own jewellery! Check out my Polymer Clay Tutorials here.
