5 Hobby Ideas to Live Stress Free

 

    With today's stressful lifestyles, it's important to have time that you take to do something just for the fun of it as part of your self-care. While there are many other hobbies out there, here are five popular hobbies to get you started on a stress free life.

 

1. Photography 

It has been proven that creativity and art therapy are valuable tools for emotional wellness. Photography is one such tool that you don't have to go to school or be a professionally trained. With modern cameras anyone can take photos and just by taking a photo, you are taking the time to stop and look at your environment through a new lens. This can be the moment that changes your day from a negative to a positive or at least gives you a moment to be distracted and calm. 

 

 

 

2. Music

Learning to play a musical instrument provides a peaceful retreat from the pressures of daily life. Some benefits of playing music include better communication skills, improved emotional release, and decreased anxiety and agitation. Musical training promotes cognitive function, mental health, and a connection to others.
 

 

3. Art

Many artistic people say that the creating art is a wonderful stress reliever. The creation of art can provide a release for difficult emotions, a distraction from stressful thoughts and experiences, and a chance to get into a state of "flow" that can be restorative in many ways. Even if you are not artistically inclined you can still benefit from artistic creation.

 

 

4. Exercise

Physical activity can help take your mind off your worries. The repetitive motions involved in exercise promote a focus on your body, rather than your mind. By concentrating on the rhythm of your movements, you experience many of the same benefits of meditation while working out. By focusing on a single physical task you can produce a sense of energy and optimism. This focus can help provide calmness and clarity. Some people notice an improvement in their mood immediately after a workout. Those feelings don’t end there, but generally become cumulative over time. Chances are, you will notice increased feelings of well-being as you stay committed to a consistent exercise routine.

 

5. Writing

Many have found journaling to be a great stress reliever, and the practice comes with proven stress management and health benefits as well! Writing, whether in a personal journal, as an amateur author, or even as a professional, is a hobby that can be cathartic and relaxing, and provides something great to share with others.