Photo by Marina Ermakova on Unsplash
Who doesn’t love sitting down and indulging in one of their beloved hobbies? Giving yourself a chance to unwind and let go is something that you could say is pretty crucial to your mental health. While more people want to focus on monetizing their hobbies or just side hustle in general with something they love, what really matters is just giving yourself this chance to breathe, this chance to let go, and just do what you love for the sake of doing it for the sake of your love. Here’s what you need to know about why relaxing hobbies are key for having strong mental health.
Why Is Having A Hobby So Important?
Having a hobby is not just a way to pass the time or indulge in leisure activities; it plays a crucial role in our overall well-being and personal development. Engaging in hobbies provides numerous benefits that can positively impact various aspects of our lives, including physical health, mental well-being, and social connections. But the most important is going to be the aspect of mental health and the positive effects that a nice relaxing hobby has on that.
Engaging in activities, we enjoy helps reduce stress levels by providing an outlet for relaxation and distraction from daily pressures. Hobbies also stimulate the brain and enhance cognitive abilities like problem-solving skills and creativity. They promote mindfulness and help individuals find solace in the present moment. But there’s one last thing that ties in with mental health, and that’s personal development. Having a hobby fosters personal growth by allowing us to explore new interests and develop new skills. Whether it's learning to play an instrument or mastering a new language, hobbies provide opportunities for self-improvement and continuous learning.
They enable us to set goals outside of our professional lives and experience a sense of achievement when we make progress or accomplish something meaningful. Generally speaking, if you think about it, if you start something new and become good at a hobby or you see yourself improving at something, you’re going to start feeling fairly confident in yourself.
Different Ways That Hobbies Can Improve Health And Well Being
So, when it comes to relaxing hobbies, they’re able to help improve mental health, but in what ways are they able to achieve this? Well, there are several ways that it can be done, and all of these are proven to make a person much happier.
Reduces Stress
It's all really going to depend on what the hobby is and how invested you are, but for the most part, you can count on this reducing stress- something a hobby should be in the first place. Whether it’s knitting and crocheting with GANXXET supplies, going fishing, or even just binge-watching a good show, the key should be to reduce stress, as this is meant to be an escape from responsibilities. This allows your brain to relax and engage in something fun, which can lower cortisol levels—the stress hormone. You can find virtual and in-person options for just about any type of hobby you’re interested in, from cooking classes to mixology, gardening to hiking, or even art and music.
Builds Self Esteem
A hobby can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride. For example, when you knit a scarf or grow your own vegetables, you feel good about yourself. If you think about it, even something like exercising is a hobby, too, as this improves your overall health, which eventually helps build self-esteem. You get to see the fruits of your labor, which in the end, can significantly help with self-worth.
Potential To Boost Physical Health
There’s no doubt that practicing a lifestyle of holistic wellness includes eating right and exercising regularly. But it’s also important to devote time to hobbies you enjoy that help you feel happier and more relaxed. Hobbies that involve physical activity can boost your health by increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, promoting better sleep quality, and lowering stress.
They also promote mindfulness by requiring concentration and focus that encourages you to stay in the moment and appreciate your surroundings. Does this only need to be exercised? Absolutely not! If you’re a fan of activities like gardening, then you can also expect this to boost your physical health too.
Encourages Mindfulness
While you may be familiar with mindfulness techniques such as meditation or yoga, hobbies are also a great way to practice mindful calmness. Hobbies that require your full attention and focus, such as fishing, model building, or knitting, quiet the mind by focusing on the present moment and letting go of worries and anxieties. A hobby can also promote a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the beauty of your environment. For example, if your hobby is gardening or taking photos, noticing the beauty in the flowers or the landscape can help you become more grateful and less stressed.
Mood Booster
At the end of the day, the entire point of a hobby is to boost your mood and feel better. This little escape for the day is exactly what you need to feel better about yourself and the world you live in.
Increase In Creativity
Of course, this depends on what it is, but everyone’s mind greatly benefits from having some creativity in their life. It lets you come up with new ideas and new solutions, and it can technically improve self-esteem too.
What Are Some Of The Best Hobbies For Improving Mental Health?
When it comes to hobbies, in a way, they aren’t all equal. There are some that are full-on, just stressful, while others are entirely relaxing. At the end of the day, it’s really about the environment and how seriously you’re taking it. But if you want to ensure that you’re getting into hobbies that are meant to be only relaxing, then here are a few ideas.
Yoga
To a degree, this is considered a form of exercise and a form of meditation packed into one. This could be an option when it comes to hobbies.
Chess
Chess is often misunderstood as a game for intellectually gifted people, but it’s also one of the most health-enhancing hobbies you can enjoy. It improves problem-solving skills, memory, and concentration. It’s been shown to slow cognitive decline and even postpone the onset of dementia as you age. This is because it stimulates brain activity and keeps the mind functioning at normal levels throughout life. If you’re an older person, then this could be something to benefit from.
Writing
This is one of those hobbies that can be relaxing but at the same time be stressful. Whether it’s keeping a journal or writing memoirs, this creative hobby allows for self-expression and productivity. It’s a great way to relieve stress and can help improve sleep. It’s really going to depend on what you’re writing, such as journaling traumatic experiences from the past (which isn’t relaxing) or writing a children's story (which is on the relaxing side).
Cooking
For many, this is known as being full-on stress-inducing, but for others who are well-versed in the kitchen, this can actually be pretty relaxing. It’s something you’re going to want to avoid putting a time limit or a strain on in order to keep it relaxing, maybe even doing something new that’s still considered relaxing too. When it comes to this one, it has the potential of being relaxing, but it’s about how you approach it.
Candle Making
Generally speaking, when it comes to crafts, not solely candle-making, can be a wonderful way to really just let go. You’re getting to utilize your creativity, and you’re making something nice along the way. Crafts are meant for relaxing; you’re meant to just drift off and afterward feel proud of your creation.
