These 5 Hobbies Will Help to Banish and Reduce Your Anxiety
Five hobbies that you can engage in to help reduce your anxiety.
The flurries in your stomach set it. You feel sick. You feel like curling up in a ball and staying there forever.Anxiety. Oh, how you did not miss it. But now, here it is, rearing its’ ugly head, insisting you pay attention to it.Now, what do you do? Here are five hobbies that you can engage in to help reduce your anxiety.
1. Yoga/Meditation
Through movement and intentional breathing, yoga is designed to still the mind. Research largely shows the benefit of decreased anxiety in those who practice.Through yoga flow and deep breathing, poses do more than stretch the body. Marred together, the two help reduce blood pressure and soothe the nerves.The perk is that it doesn’t require any equipment. All you need is your body.
2. Knitting/Crocheting
I’m a big advocate for knitting. It’s easy to do and there are tons of benefits to it. There aren’t a lot of wrong ways to do it, and you can do it anywhere.My mom and I both carry bags with a current project we’re working on and bring them with us wherever we go. You can do it while you’re watching TV or waiting at the doctor’s office.It’s a versatile hobby that you can bring with you and pop out any time you need it.
3. Journaling
Journaling can be therapeutic and is a great way to get thoughts and emotions out of your head. Once they’re out, they’re easier to sort through.Sometimes journaling, in itself, can be stressful if you’re trying to write about something difficult. Regardless, studies show it is proven to reduce anxiety and improve wellbeing.Like knitting, it can be done anywhere. All you need is a pen and paper.
4. Puzzles
Puzzles have slowly been making their comeback in recent years. As people have been at home quarantined, they’ve been looking for ways to pass the time and reverting back to older, analog activities.Dr. Vaile Wright, director of clinical research and quality at the American Psychological Association, says, “They reduce your right or flight response because it serves as a distraction — the good kind.”Puzzles can be a fun community activity, that doesn’t require communication.
5. Coloring
Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. There are plenty of adult coloring books popping up on the market, used for coloring away your stress and anxiety.Research shows it has the ability to relax the amygdala and induce a meditative state. The repetitive movements are good for reducing racing thoughts and easing stress.However, coloring may not be good if you’re a perfectionist. You’re so concerned with doing it right that it becomes more stressful than helpful. That being said, coloring can be a great outlet for others.
There are so many activities you can try to reduce your anxiety. Find one that works for you.Not everybody will respond the same way or have the same likes, but there’s something for everyone.Once you find your thing, feel as the knots lessen and you can breathe again. You’ll know when it feels right.
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