Simple Hobbies To Reduce Stress From Home

Stress is a common factor in the lives of everyone.

According to The American Institute of Stress, 73 percent of people have stress that impacts their mental health. This lack of relaxation can also lead to anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping.

Luckily, moments of relaxation are more achievable than you think.

Here are a number of different hobbies to begin easing your mind and body from the comfort of your own home.

Relaxing Hobbies To Ease Stress

Journaling

Journaling is one of the best and healthiest ways to get in touch with and clarify your mind and emotions. In fact, many studies have shown that writing down your thoughts can help reduce stress, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can absolutely journal however feels right to you. For beginners, though, there are a ton of great guided exercises to get you started.

Gardening

Gardening is a great way to get yourself grounded when you’re feeling the stresses of every daylife.

In a 2010 study, subjects were asked to perform a stressful task, followed by either 30 minutes of gardening, or 30 minutes of reading.

Measuring by levels of the stress hormone, salivary cortisol, researchers found that both groups experienced a decrease in stress. However, the gardeners experienced a significantly greater decline and full restoration of positive mood.

This can be done on a small patio, acres of yard, or even in your kitchen. The size of the garden does not matter, only your focus.

Knitting

Knitting is a positive way to sit down and relax for a few moments.

In 2007, a study conducted by Harvard Medical School’s Mind and Body Institute found that knitting regularly lowers your heart rate by 11 beats per minute and promotes a sense of calmness.

Start with something small like a baby blanket. Before you know it you’ll have more hats and scarves than you know what to do with.

Puzzles

While puzzles themselves can definitely be frustrating, they’re also super distracting.

We live in a hyperconnected world. Thus, focusing on one image for an extended period of time allows your mind to wander from whatever is keeping it from ease.

There are so many puzzles out there you’re bound to find one that you love.

Not to mention, puzzles are a great way to improve short-term memory and other cognitive skills.

Coloring

Similar to meditation, coloring has the ability to relax the amygdala, or emotional center, of the brain.

It relaxes the brain by taking attention away from yourself and onto the present moment (or page).

There are tons of adults coloring books to chose from featuring everything from Mandalas to farm animals. My recent favorite has been Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book

Baking

There’s a reason why so many people turned to baking during quarantine.

As you probably know, baking is a science. It has a set start and endpoint that allows bakers to feel a stronger sense of control and purpose. It also engages all of our senses and has a special way of bringing back positive memories through scent.

Further, the step-by-step process is also a great way to decrease feelings of overwhelm, and increase your mindfulness.

Overall, there are a ton of great hobbies to help you reset your energy and ease your mind of stress and anxiety. For more intentionally specific exercises, you may want to try yoga or meditation.