Creative Outlet: 4 Hobbies to Pick up for Relaxation
Everyone can benefit by having some kind of creative outlet to transcend their free time. From the countless number of recreational activities to choose from, there are several hobbies that promote deep relaxation. Not all of these hobbies are sedentary as being active can still conceive the deep state of peace and relaxation you seek to obtain.
Volunteering
Volunteering simply means going around and helping others because you want to. If you enjoy helping other people who may be less fortunate, then volunteering can become a hobby of yours. You don’t have to work with the same organization each time as you can do different projects whenever you are free. For example, one day you can volunteer at a nursing home and another day can be spent working on cleaning up the community. You don’t even have to work for an organization as you’ll find many people in your local area may need help which can be a more personal experience. A lot of people say that giving back gives them a great appreciation of what they have which extends to a general inner peace. Volunteering can improve self-worth and how one perceives themselves overall.
Gardening
Get some fresh air and pick a hobby outdoors. There are many benefits of being out in nature like natural sunlight which provides you with much needed vitamins and reduces pain. Gardening is a very nurturing hobby as you will have to take care of different plants and ensure that they are thriving. You can make a food garden or simply a flower garden. The actual activity of gardening is very relaxing as the environment is usually quiet and all you can hear are the birds and wind. You’ll be so present and engulfed in the process of gardening that time might feel like it flies by. This is only because you are deeply relaxed.
Mindfulness Meditation
According to 2005 research published by the National Science Foundation, 80 percent of the 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts humans have per day are negative and 95 percent are the same repetitive thoughts had the day prior. With this in perspective, we can more see why people are stressed constantly with their thoughts always racing. Mindfulness meditation is aimed to silence the chatter and fluff in your mind to reach optimum relaxation so that you are not a slave to your thoughts. Sit up, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. If a thought enters your mind, don’t forcefully remove it. Simply acknowledge the thought and observe it. Do not interact or judge the thought. Just allow these thoughts to float in and out of your mind without attaching emotion to them. With practice and consistency, it will become easier for you to control the way you think and your thoughts themselves.
Knitting and Sewing
A more sedentary hobby for relaxation would be knitting and sewing. It doesn’t require much mindfulness if you already learned the patterns and know the basics of knitting and sewing. Your hands will be kept busy with the sewing or embroidery machine while your mind runs away with your thoughts. By the time you know it, the project you’re working on will be completed. For some, it feels like a deep trance where time goes by and you get to work on a craft that you can gift someone or wear yourself.
There are plenty of hobbies to pick up no matter what your preferences are. Take time to relax and release any stress from your day by trying some of the above suggestions.