How can Hobbies help you manage Everyday Stress?

We all experience certain stress levels due to commitments in our everyday lives. Rather than escaping these, it is about finding a balance and healthy ways to manage them. A self-care routine including a hobby helps to relieve stress regularly. How?

A hobby is a commitment, too. But the idea of having hobbies comes with the positive implication of engaging in something pleasant that helps us enjoy the moment and not worry about tomorrow, it is a chosen commitment to bring joy and a break from our school/work routine.

Choosing a hobby to help manage everyday stress

Let’s think about getting “mental rest” whilst engaging in something that is not school- or work-related. What did you do before your life got so busy and stressful? A hobby can be anything you enjoy doing. Ideally, it is easy to do and also easily accessible.

Depending on the kind of person you are, here are some hobbies that may help manage your everyday stress:

You enjoy creating things and seeing the result.

You may enjoy knitting or doing pottery – it’s about making something nice for yourself or someone else as a present. The repetitive motion relieves nervousness and stress. Drawing or colouring works similarly – apart from the activity itself, it offers a way to express your emotions.

What about cooking and baking? Often seen as a chore in everyday life, smelling freshly baked goods in the house can be relaxing. Preparing delicious meals for yourself also contributes to a healthy lifestyle overall. If you enjoy being at home, gardening as a hobby might be interesting, too – it can give you a sense of caring for something that will reward you with beautiful flowers or your own vegetables, and apart from the outcome, it is proven to reduce stress levels.

You enjoy engaging your brain in a relaxing way.

Reading is the first thing that comes to mind – you learn about something new or just take your mind elsewhere. You might wish to try writing, too – whether it is a poem every now and then, or a journal, this can be a therapeutic way to release heavy thoughts and worries and free up some space in your head for enjoyable things.

Have you tried crossword puzzles and Sudoku yet to wind down?

You wish to share your hobby with others and do things together.

Some hobbies can be done alone, others in a group setting. It can be motivating to have other people around who enjoy the same activities.

Whether you spend time in the gym with a buddy or play team sports such as football or volleyball, tennis or badminton, your mental and physical health will improve. You might wish to try dancing – alone or in a pair/group, turning up the music and moving your body will release stress and offer a nice way to get your steps in, especially if you work in an office job.

Knitting and painting can also be done in groups – think of knitting circles and “paint and sip” events, also playing an instrument or singing in a band or choir. Such hobbies connect you with people who share your interests and can create new connections and social support. What is more relaxing than knowing you have people around who enjoy the same things you do?

You enjoy having a change of scenery.

Those of us working from home tend to look for hobbies outside to have a change of scenery now and then. Living close to the sea opens up hobby opportunities like swimming, surfing, paddle boarding and canoeing – a fresh breeze and some physical activity will lower your stress levels.

Camping is another fun hobby to consider – being in nature away from everyday chores allows you to detach and get a break. You can hike for some relaxation, too.

Hobbies help manage everyday stress

The above-mentioned recreational activities can help fill your spare time in a meaningful and fun way whilst you recharge from everyday stress in school/at work. Engaging in a hobby creates positive stress which is also known as “eustress.

If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.

Franziska Richter is a transcultural counsellor with the Willingness Team, offering counselling sessions to individuals and couples. She is particularly interested in sexuality, relationship issues, trauma and general mental health.

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