Tensions are high for people all around the world, and if you need to calm your mind, take a look at some of the best hobbies for reducing anxiety!
This is a stressful time for everyone, and life sure is not what we thought it was going to be once spring finally rolled around. Rather than spring break trips and sitting out on a patio in the sunshine with friends, we’re inside. Though it may not be what we hope for, there are still opportunities to release creativity, sit in the sunshine (virtually chatting with friends), and learn new things. That said, the stress doesn’t just disappear, and if you need some help easing that tension, when you’re on your quest to learn something new, try out some of the best hobbies for reducing anxiety.
Crafting
For years, people have turned to crafting to ease their tensions. They’ve reached for knitting needles or paintbrushes and have let the movements calm the roiling unease in their mind and bodies. If that’s something you think you need, try out some of the wonderful craft ideas to ease anxiety. If you don’t think knitting is your thing, you can try painting, embroidery, or writing—think of crafting as making something new. It will help ease your mind.
Cooking
Cooking is another great hobby that people have loved for years, and not just because it feeds their stomachs. Use this newfound downtime to try out some of those new plant-based recipes you’ve been eyeing on Pinterest, or see the ways you can create magnificent flavors when you pair the vegetables from your garden with your favorite pasta recipe. The options are endless.
Puzzling
People all around the world are falling back in love with the ease that is puzzling. If you head to the grocery store now, the puzzles are probably all out—people are using this self-isolation to improve their puzzle skills, and for good reason. Searching for the perfect piece and creating something beautiful from what was “broken” is an excellent way to calm thoughts in the mind and give your brain and body something else to focus on. Make sure not to begin with the 1,000-piece puzzles if you’re just getting started, though—you’ll just end up frustrated.
Dancing
Movement is an amazing way to release emotion and bring some endorphins back into the body and the mind. You don’t have to be a professional salsa dancer, but turning on some of your favorite songs and moving your body to the rhythm can help calm you down. You could just dance while you’re making dinner—little spurts of dance in your day will lend to a happier and calmer mind.
Gardening
A lot of us are probably craving that sunshine we’ve been missing since winter started. Daily walks are great, but there are more ways to get your Vitamin D in, and gardening is one of those ways. You might be able to still purchase some seeds from local shops, but if you can’t, you can always simply begin by getting your gardening area in order—pulling weeds and tilling up the soil. These moments with your hands in the dirt can be some of the most serene you’ll find.
