It can be sometimes difficult to find time just for yourself and indulge in the activities you enjoy. However, having a hobby isn’t just about passing the days or enjoying quality “me time“. It is crucial for your well-being and mental health as well.
A hobby is the best way to spend your spare time and unwind from your daily routine. Research has shown that people with hobbies rarely suffer from stress, depression and low moods and so it is vital for your mental health that you find activities that will get you out, as well as make you feel happier and more relaxed.
Whether your hobby is creative, academic, athletic or personal, the important thing is that you find it meaningful and enjoyable.
Here is a list of some hobbies that are great for your mental health.
Music
If you’ve always wanted to learn to play an instrument, then now is the best time to do it. Playing music is a fantastic way to relieve stress and to channel uncomfortable emotions.
Also, playing in a group setting such as a band or group orchestra is a great way to communicate with other musicians.
Experts say that setting goals can help beat anxiety and depression, so why not try music? Achieving musical goals will surely boost your confidence which will also have a good effect on other areas in your life.
Gardening
One of the best hobbies that will help you get in touch with nature is gardening. Whether you choose to plant your favourite flowers or an entire vegetable garden be sure it keeps you healthy both physically and mentally.
If you choose to grow fruit and vegetables in your garden, make it 100% organic. Every produce has its best nutritional value when ripe and that’s why fruit and vegetables are plucked well before they mature.
Most products have to travel a long time before they reach supermarkets and sometimes they become ripe by the time you eat them.
The nutritious value comes from the stem of the living plant and basically the values decrease every day after the time of harvest. With gardening you will always have fresh fruit and veggies to enjoy.
Although you can buy organic food outside the market, you can never be sure of its quality. When you grow your own garden, you are able to decide what goes in the ground and most importantly what doesn’t.
Gardening is also a great exercise that provides endurance, flexibility, and strength. This is mainly because you need to use tools such as garden scissors, soil knives, curve blade shovels, and even chainsaws.
Keep in mind that some of these tools can be dangerous and if you’re a beginner, make sure that you check out all the different types available.
Look for the best quality electric chainsaw available because poor quality can end up in constant technical problems and most importantly, injuries.
Fishing
Most people think of fishing as a boring activity that wastes too much time. However, most people aren’t aware of the benefits fishing has to offer.
In reality, this hobby is surprisingly good for you because it trains your patience, teaches focus and is good for the brain because being close to water naturally calms and reduces stress.
Also, it is good for the body as fishing commonly involves lots of walking, hiking, and rowing in order to get to the best spot.
It’s a great way to get out in the sun where you can get lots of vitamin D which is vital for your health.
One of the most popular types of fishing today is kayak fishing. Kayaks are affordable and its popularity has exploded in recent years. Their portability and launch ability give anglers access to waters they used to be blocked from fishing, which naturally means that fish are eager to bite.
The latest generations of kayaks offer better versatility and are generally made to offer the best fishing experience out there.
Writing
This one of the simplest hobbies as it only requires a pen and paper. You can either write how you feel every day, or fiction stories, poetry or even a novel.
This hobby has many benefits and is surprisingly effective in reducing stress, fighting depression and anxiety, improving memory and solving sleeping problems.
When you write down your feelings, you can identify your negative thoughts and behaviours and effectively work towards replacing them with healthier ones.
Also, writing stories, journals and blogs keeps your mind away from negative thoughts.
Yoga
Yoga is good for mental and physical health and that’s why it has become extremely popular over the years.
Yoga can calm your nervous system, help with depression and reduce muscle tension. You can easily start doing yoga by learning a few easy poses. Once you develop yoga as a hobby it will only take you a few minutes a day to produce positive effects.
You can always seek guidance online or install a yoga app on your phone. Alternatively, join a certified yoga class.
Final words
The main goal of a hobby is that it gives you the opportunity to express yourself and relax at the same time. Always look for new interests and hobbies because the more your mind works, the healthier it will stay.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg. He interviews people within psychology, mental health, and well-being on his YouTube channel, The DRH Show.