Surprising Sources of Stress Relief: The 5 Most Relaxing Hobbies

The modern lifestyle is so fast-paced and busy that many people experience stress. Not only is stress a mental issue that can lead to anxiety or depression, but it can also cause physical health problems by raising blood pressure and preventing you from sleeping. Researchers have found that stress can be alleviated through certain types of hobbies that help to take your mind off of your worries and allow you to focus on creating something. These five hobbies provide a wonderful outlet for energy and keep you from feeling stress.

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Scrapbooking

This enjoyable task encourages you to think of old, pleasant memories while peacefully sorting through pictures, cutting paper borders, and finding the right decorations for your scrapbook. It is a great way to reminisce and preserve items for future generations while creating something visually appealing. The relaxing atmosphere of scrapbooking and decorating is great for stress-relief. It can be easy, however, to bring stress into scrapbooking. Making a scrapbook as a gift can be a good idea, but if you’re doing it primarily to relax, giving yourself a deadline may introduce unnecessary constraints on your time that can go against your objective.

Yarn Crafts

Whether you choose to crochet or knit, creating items from yarn is extremely relaxing. Psychologists have found that it encourages a state of mind similar to mediation. This is one of the most budget friendly hobbies, since you can use just five dollars of yarn and needles to create warm winter gear like scarves and sweaters. Getting into the rhythm of knitting or crocheting can keep your hands busy while your mind is free to wander, and deal with and process and work through the stresses of your day.

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Coin Collecting

Peacefully sitting and sorting through a pile of coins greatly reduces stress, and it is surprisingly affordable if you collect lower value items. The possibility of finding something truly noteworthy adds a bit of excitement to this hobby, and, much like scrapbooking, decorating your coin collection book adds interest for people with creative personalities. However, even though companies like Rocky Mountain Coin can appraise pieces in your collection, for maximum stress relief, it’s best not to focus on the value of your collection. Turning a hobby into a cash grab increases the likelihood that your relaxation time will simply turn into more working hours. Focus instead on collecting, organizing, and enjoying what you have.

Gardening

This hobby allows you to get some fresh air and sunshine while peacefully weeding and watering your plants. Gardening has the added benefit of rewarding you for your time. Depending on what you choose to grow, your reward may be delicious fruits, gorgeous flowers, or flavorful herbs. Gardening gives you a beautiful space to relax when the flowers bloom, healthy food to cook when your work pays off, and the peace of mind and satisfaction that can come with connecting to the earth and soil.

Art

All types of art, ranging from pencil drawing to sculpting, can help to relieve stress by providing a creative outlet and giving you something to do with your hands. Even if you do not think you are good at drawing, you might enjoy an adult coloring book filled with intricate patterns that look beautiful once you fill them in. If you are proud of your creations, you can hang them up or simply keep them to enjoy for yourself. Learning a new skill, like how to draw or paint, comes with the added benefit of feeling accomplished and keeping your mind active.

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These hobbies are particularly beneficial because they are easy to start and stop. You can pick them up even if you just have five minutes of free time, and the stress-relieving results start immediately. In addition to being cheap and easy, they are also rewarding because you get to enjoy a beautiful, creative item when your project is complete.