In todays lifestyles, it's important to have time that you take to do something just for the fun. While there are many great hobbies to choose from, here are a list of hobbies that are particularly useful in relieving stress and encouraging creativity at the same time.
In todays lifestyles, it's important to have time that you take to do something just for the fun. While there are many great hobbies to choose from, here are a list of hobbies that are particularly useful in relieving stress and encouraging creativity at the same time.
1. Gardening
Gardening can be a great stress reliever for many reasons, including getting you into the sunshine and fresh air, creating more beautiful surroundings to come home to each day, and more.
2. Explore Photography
Whether you simply learn to take better pictures of your friends and family, or delve into the world of creating true art, photography can be a great hobby. As you practice seeing the world through the eye of a photographer, you may begin to see things differently.
3. Scrapbooking
Whether you have a few pictures, or boxes of them, scrapbooking can be a great hobby. It combines artistry with journaling to create a unique vehicle for displaying your memories and passing them to future generations.
4. Maintain a Aquarium
Watching aquarium fish has proven health benefits, including reducing blood pressure and relieving stress. Maintaining an aquarium of beautiful fish can be considered a useful hobby because it requires regular (but not overwhelming) attention, has the potential to connect you with other saltwater fish enthusiasts, and provides you with the opportunity to create something unique: your own mix of fish, rock and plant life. To get started, see this article on maintaining a aquarium. Or just google images for "aquarium home"
5. Puzzles
Engaging your mind in a puzzle can take your focus off of what’s stressing you, and develop your brain power at the same time. The end result is that you get a nice break, experience some 'flow’, and come back to your problems with a fresher, stronger mind, which can help you to better handle life’s stressors.
6. Drawing
You can get in touch with your artistic side and use drawing as a way to process emotions, distract yourself, and achieve other stress management benefits. The end result will be something beautiful and personal that you can enjoy or share. Read this for more on how drawing can relieve stress, and for resources on learning to draw.
7. Painting
Painting carries similar stress management benefits as drawing, but through a different medium. For more on relieving stress through painting, see this article on painting for beginners.
