Stress is something that everyone has to deal with sometimes. Many people don’t know how to relieve stress within their lives. Some just simply haven’t explored different methods of stress relief.
Finding a comforting hobby is a perfect way to reduce stress levels. It adds some fun and relaxation to your life while also decreasing the stress you may be experiencing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these different hobbies and find one that suits you.
#1 Gardening
How Gardening Can Soothe Stress
Gardening is a hobby that many people love. It’s fun and beneficial as you can grow things to use while reducing stress as well. Growing a garden is both relaxing and rewarding.
Starting a garden has been shown to reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that contributes to your stress levels being heightened. Reducing cortisol will reduce the stress you are going through.
Gardening also releases endorphins, which are the chemicals that make you feel happy and relaxed. Endorphin release reduces stress levels within the body. In fact, according to studies done by experts, gardening releases more endorphins and reduces cortisol more than reading.
A garden can be started indoors or outdoors. Do research on what will grow best for the season and region you are in, and get supplies to start a garden. Remember that it doesn’t have to be a huge, elaborate set-up.
#2 Photography
Using Photography as a Stress-Free Hobby
Photography is a great way to relieve stress. It is an easy hobby to get into and it does not take much to participate in it. Most people would think you would need tons of expensive camera equipment to get into photography.
This is not the case. You can use your cell phone to take pictures if you don’t want to buy a camera. Even if you don’t have a way to capture digital images, you can buy disposable cameras for photo taking.
You can get these cameras online or in most department stores and pharmacies, and they’re usually quite inexpensive. Photography relieves stress because it allows you to express yourself through a form of art.
It can also help you focus on the smaller beauties of life that can be captured through images. Reviewing or sharing these artistic photos can be a relaxing endeavor that alleviates stress.
#3 Camping
Benefits from Camping and Being Outdoors
Camping is a great way to get out of the house if you need some stress-relieving time away from work. When you’re camping, don’t let yourself check in on work during your time off. This will give your mind rest and allow your stress levels to fall.
It’s also a way to spend time with friends or family if you are trying to improve your work-life balance. Spending quality time with those you care about is a great way to improve your mental health and lower stress.
When you are camping, you are spending time out in nature without any other obligations. Being in nature is healing to the mind and to your stress levels. Studies have shown that being in nature settings reduces stress and anger while improving moods.
During camping, you’re also spending less time on technology. Sometimes it’s easy to get addicted to social media and our everyday lives can be taken over by phones, laptops and TV.
Social media and reading news on apps can easily become stressful and overwhelming. Taking a nice camping trip is a way to get rid of that stress from your life, even if it’s just for a few days.
#4 Drawing
How Drawing, Coloring & Painting Relieve Stress
Artistic expression is an amazing way to relieve stress. While making art, you’re thinking about the piece you are creating in front of you. Your mind isn’t focused on all of the stresses going on in your life.
Drawing, coloring and painting are all easy ways to participate in art. You also don’t need to buy elaborate materials in order to create art either, unless you want to, of course. Making art can be as simple as drawing a small sketch on a sticky note with a pen from your desk.
Art can relieve stress because it gives people a way to vent their emotions. Many people incorporate the things they’re going through into their artwork. Doing this is a freeing way of letting go of or working through your emotions.
Studies have shown that art can lower cortisol levels significantly, even if it’s not done for an extensive period of time. This lowers your stress and brings your mood and mental health up.
Also, you don’t have to be an amazing artist to participate in this hobby. Doing simple little paintings or doodles can be just as stress relieving as painting a huge, detailed piece.
#5 Music
Playing Music and How it Can Affect Stress
Music is something that everyone enjoys. When it comes to stress relief, music can do a lot to benefit your stress levels and mental health. The first way music can help relieve stress is from listening to it.
Hearing your favorite songs or tunes that make you happy can release endorphins. Listening to music has also been shown to lower cortisol. Make a playlist of songs that cheer you up so that you can listen to it when you’re feeling stressed.
When you are making this playlist, try avoiding putting songs with sad melodies or lyrics on it. This way, you can focus on listening to uplifting songs. Another way music can be stress relieving is by playing it.
There are many resources for beginners on how to play instruments. If you want, you could also try music lessons for the type of music you want to play. Composing music could be a beneficial way for you to express your emotions.
Many people write songs when they’re feeling stressed or sad. Even if you aren’t musically inclined, the process of getting your emotions out through writing songs is relieving.
You can also use music to help in doing other stress relieving activities. For example, during meditation, lots of people listen to calming, relaxing music in order to make their stress even lower.
It’s also common for people to listen to music while working out, which is another great way to relieve stress. For workouts, you should listen to songs that are fast-paced and uplifting.