Life is stressful, and there’s no way around all the pressures around you. However, you can find effective ways to relieve stress by making some simple lifestyle changes. Taking on a new hobby can help you clear your mind, release negativity and enjoy life.
If you’re like most people, you have no clue where to start. You know you need to relieve stress, but how do you get rid of it? There are many stress management techniques to consider, but the best way to obtain rid of all that pressure is by having fun.
Relaxing Hobbies To Help Your Stress Levels
Do you love being in the great outdoors, spending time with pets, jamming to music, or throwing down in the kitchen? Here are 20 of the best ways to reduce your stress levels, all while having a great time. Be assured; there’s something on this list for everybody ready for change.
1. Doing Puzzles
Puzzles are a great hobby that takes intense focus and a good amount of concentration. Who has time to think about the past due electric bill or upcoming mortgage when you’re trying to find that one part to a 1,000-piece puzzle? When you focus your brain on something other than your troubles, you diminish the power they have over you.
According to Self Growth, there is healing power in puzzles. These “games” have been around in some form since the 1700s. When you’re working on these classics, you’re utilizing both sides of your brain simultaneously.
Some think that these are very much a metaphor for life, and when you solve one of these puzzles, you’re sending messages to your brain that you can fix other things.
2. Spend Time With Your Pet
Do you have a pet? There’s been tons of research done on the therapeutic benefits of having a pet. Not only can they help you to reduce your stress levels, but these furry friends provide great companionship.
Yes, even a goldfish can help you. Watching a fish swim back and forth in a tank is mesmerizing. If you need help with stress, consider spending more time with your current pet or adding one to your brood.
3. Baking Amazing Desserts
Something is satisfying about making desserts and smelling the unique aromas waft through your home. Now, don’t cheat and scratch something out of a box, but get a recipe and try your hands at something homemade. There’s something therapeutic about getting your hands dirty as well as seeing the fruits of your labor.
4. Volunteer and Give Back
Perhaps you need to put your stress into perspective. One of the best ways to forget your problems is by giving back to your community. Find something to do that helps those less fortunate, and it will tend to make your stress and troubles seem less trivial.
5. Coloring
Coloring is one of those relaxing hobbies that take you back to your childhood. The addition of adult coloring books challenges people of all age groups. If you don’t want to use some premade sketch, you can also try your hand at drawing.
6. Get Involved in Music
Music is very therapeutic. While you may not have the setup to start a band, why not try your hand at the piano, guitar, or other musical instruments? There is something you can learn to play, even if it’s the tambourine or the recorder.
7. Reading
Silence your phone and turn off your social media. Instead of scrolling through countless hours of banter, why not get lost in a good book? There are so many books that you can find pleasurable that allow you to get lost in the story.
8. Origami
If you’re looking for one of those relaxing hobbies that don’t cost a fortune, origami might be for you. There are so many resources that can help you start these ancient paper folding techniques. Who knew you could make something extraordinary from the back of an old grocery list?
9. Hiking
If you’re stress out, you need to get out in nature, inhale the tranquility of the fresh air, and bask in the rays of the golden sun. Why is hiking such a stress-busting activity? Well, you can get away from your troubles and enjoy the beautiful scenery provided by Mother Nature.
10. Embrace a New Language/Culture
There is so much more to embrace than the way life is done here. Why not immerse yourself in another culture and learn the language? Maybe you have ancestors from a foreign land.
Wouldn’t it be great to learn your heritage all while connecting with people who live there? Relaxing hobbies can also include educational trips or vacations.
11. Gardening
Anything that allows you to be outside in the fresh air is a win-win. Creating something with the labor of your hands is just fascinating. Additionally, think of all the great food you can eat during harvest?
12. Start a Collection
There are tons of things that you can collect. Many people love combing through thrift stores and antique malls as relaxing hobbies for their stress. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a ton of fun. Some feel like collecting can be a scavenger hunt for adults.
13. Stargazing
Did you ever lay under the stars and dream about being an adult? Well, as an adult, you can lay under the stars and watch your troubles melt like lemon drops. Mother Nature provides the perfect backdrop to a peaceful night.
14. Go Camping
Who said you need electricity and the internet to have a good time? Why not go “off-grid” and camp? You should try it at least once in your life, and who knows, it might become a new hobby for you.
15. Journaling
Rather than blowing up at your spouse or children when you’re stressed, why not write it all down? Journaling has become a very therapeutic practice that many counselors recommend. It’s all about getting the angst from the inside to the outside where it can’t rot.
According to Alicia Nortje, Ph.D. from Positive Psychology, starting a gratitude journal is an excellent way to combat stress. In her writings, she cites studies where people started journaling and were monitored. The results were terrific, and the stress levels decreased.
16. Cooking
Cooking and baking are similar but two different things. Baking is for bread or desserts, but cooking can be pretty intensive. There’s something about getting your hands dirty while preparing a masterpiece that’s a great way to relieve stress. The other good part is that you can dine on incredible foods that show you how easy it is to take nothing and make it into something.
17. Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a lost art that seems to be making a comeback. Someone who acquires this skill doesn’t need to buy those overpriced cards or gifts, as you can make them yourself. It can relieve stress, but you can also be very proud of learning a new art form.
18. Yoga
When it comes to relaxing hobbies, there’s probably nothing as tranquil as yoga. Not only is it beneficial for your health, but it can make your limbs more flexible and strengthens your core. Since there are so many different styles and poses, you can find something that works well for you.
After you finish a workout session, you will be amazed at how much better you feel. Yoga combined with meditation is the perfect way to end or begin any day.
19. Swimming
Swimming is one of the best exercises around as it works for all your muscle groups. However, did you know that swimming can be very calm and relaxing to your mind? When you’re floating around the water and letting the cares of life slip away, you can have a fantastic time.
20. Knitting, Crocheting, or Quilting
Okay, it may seem like these ancient needlepoint forms are more for women, but even men enjoy these favorite pastimes. There’s something so fascinating about making something with your hands. The repetitive movements you can do while watching a great show seem to take your mind off your worries.
Since these handicrafts are becoming increasingly popular again, learning them can help you pass them along to your children and even grandchildren.
Final Thoughts on Doing Your Favorite Relaxing Hobbies
It’s essential that when you choose a hobby, you find one that will not add further stress. Some people won’t find anything therapeutic about cooking, as they can’t stop thinking of the mess. That’s okay if cooking isn’t for you because you can do tons of other things.
The goal is to change your perspective with relaxing hobbies that take your mind off your troubles. Everyone has anxiety and stress in their lives, but you must find a way to reduce these feelings so they don’t turn into full-blown disorders. What hobbies are you ready to try?
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