Hobbies to Improve Mental Health (Gayathri)
Our mental health has a direct influence on how we think, act, and feel. Much like our physical health, we need to take care of ourselves, inside and out. Hobbies can help improve your mental health by reducing stress or keeping you preoccupied. With these hobbies below, you might gain a new talent or just have a fun time!
Hobby #1: Listening to Music
Listening to music has been proven to lower stress and anxiety as well as boost your mood. Simply playing your favorite song on your phone while relaxing may benefit you. Listening to music is another way to connect with friends and meet people with similar interests! You could also learn to play an instrument, and create your own music or just simply have fun playing your instrument!
Hobby #2: Cooking/Baking
Cooking and baking have been proven to relax and boost happiness, and they’re a fun activity to try. You may also gain confidence through these activities as you begin to master dishes that you can share with friends and family members. You should try cooking your favorite dish or baking chocolate chip cookies to pass the time and possibly discover a new talent!
Hobby #3: Movement
Any type of movement is an amazing way to improve one’s mental health. Exercising leads to a boost in endorphins, which in turn boosts our moods! Whether it’s going on a walk, doing yoga, or partaking in a workout class, movement is one way to improve mental health. Here are some exercises for those who may just be starting out:
Jumping jacks
Squats
Planks
Push-ups
Walking lunges
Russian twists
Hobby #4: Journaling
Journaling has many benefits. It reduces stress, helps with processing emotions, and improves your mood. Journaling helps boost your mood because it allows your brain to control emotions so that you really understand how you are feeling, and having positive self-talk will give you confidence, and confidence can make us feel happy.
Simply writing for 5-15 minutes a day can have a huge impact on your mood, and there are many journals online for you to organize your thoughts, like the Five Minute Journal. So next time you feel down, pick up a pen and paper, and start journaling!
Hobby #5: Gardening
Gardening is another hobby that can help improve mental health. Spending time with nature and sunlight can lower blood pressure and increase your levels of vitamin D, which helps absorb calcium. Gardening may seem like a daunting task to some, but here is a list of plants that are easy to grow:
Carrots
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Lucky bamboo
Aloe vera
Gardening is a soothing, calming exercise that may reduce stress and anxiety, and it is fun to grow your own fruits and vegetables!
Conclusion: Have Fun and Take Care of Yourself
Listening to music, cooking/baking, gardening, journaling, and exercising are five habits that you should try when you are feeling down or bored; you can improve your mental health! If these hobbies do not happen to interest you, do not worry because there are many more hobbies out there to try! Here are a few lists of hobbies you can try:
Wikipedia article on hobbies (there are hundreds here, just click some random ones and see what you think!)
More hobby ideas and information on Hozelock
Let me know in the comments what has helped you. We should all share our ideas and passions!
If you are feeling down and need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Letters Against Depression. We send letters of hope and support to those who need someone there for them. This can be a great way to connect with someone while connecting with yourself. You can request to receive letters here.