Hobbies that will help you fight against depression and anxiety
Hobbies that will help you fight against depression and anxiety
If you have anxiety or depression, you are by no means alone. Common, debilitating mental health problems like these are on the rise, and if you want to feel better, you need to take action.
WebMD says that, in addition to traditional treatments like talk therapy, medication, exercise, and relaxation techniques, you can find your interests, talents, and strengths again by getting involved in meaningful activities and diving into creative pursuits.
At Hobbytwin, we know that hobbies are good for both your physical and mental health. For example, they can help you beat the blues and keep stress at bay.
In fact, many medical studies have shown it to be true in the real world.
Read on if you want to try something new or if you want to get back into something you used to like. We’ve made a list of the several ways to deal with stress and sadness.
The hobbies in this article aren’t just for people with anxiety and depression. Anyone who wants a hobby that makes them feel good can do it. Take a look at this list of hobbies and give them a try if you want to distract yourself from stressful thoughts or try something new.
What are the best hobbies for fighting depression and anxiety?
Photography
Many experts say that being mindful is good for the health of your brain and body. If you want to get the benefits of mindfulness without meditating every day, you could grab your camera and go outside.
Photography not only gets you out of your head and out of the house, but it also lets you find new and exciting places, enjoy the beauty of nature, and keep memories that can be given to future generations.
Music that gets you going
Now is the time to learn how to play the guitar, saxophone, or piano if you’ve always wanted to. Making music is a great way to get rid of stress and other bad feelings.
WebMD says that setting goals can help you deal with depression and anxiety. Setting and reaching musical goals will likely give you more confidence, which will help you in other parts of your life.
Writing
Writing or keeping a journal is a great way to get your ideas and feelings out. When you put pen to paper, you never know what will come out. Many great writers have said that they were surprised by what they had written.
When you write about your depression or anxiety, you can keep track of symptoms and patterns that may be making your condition worse (s). If the idea of keeping a journal doesn’t appeal to you, try writing fiction instead. It can be a great way to get away from the monotony of everyday life.
Drawing, Painting, and Sculpting
Getting involved in the arts can be very healing. Scientists have found that doing creative things can help reduce stress, anxiety, and even mood swings. Artistic self-expression has been linked to a wide range of health benefits, from better physical and mental health to a better quality of life.
Try drawing, painting, or making a sculpture, even if you have never done anything creative before. If you don’t know where to start, you might want to sign up for a class. We also suggest Zentangle, which is calming and will help you think outside the box.
Crafts and Arts
If you’ve never tried to knit or sew before, now is a great time to try something new. Since there is so much information online, you have access to a huge virtual library of free resources.
Healthline says that creative activities can help a person stop thinking about their health and start thinking about the good things in their lives. As a matter of fact, doing arts and crafts can be a lot like meditating.
Coloring
Coloring is fun for people of all ages, not just kids. There are so many adult coloring books on the market that it shouldn’t be hard to find one that speaks to your inner child.
Coloring can bring back memories, help you relax, and be just plain fun. Plus, finishing a page is a nice reward at the end of a hard day.
Dancing
Almost any kind of physical activity can make you feel better and take your mind off of your problems, but dance is like “moving meditation” and a great way to connect with other people.
Many people think of exercise as a chore, and those with anxiety and/or depression can find it hard to get up the motivation to hit the treadmill. If you choose an activity that you enjoy, you’ll look forward to each sweat session.
Swimming
Many people who swim a lot call it “medicine.” It’s a form of physical activity that is both stimulating and relaxing because it involves doing the same thing over and over again.
Therese J. Borchard, an associate editor at Psychcentral.com, says in a blog post, “I’ve always known that I come out of any pool happier than when I went in.” “It’s like taking Tylenol for a headache,” she says.
Yoga
Finding your inner yogi can help you feel less anxious and depressed, too. “The scientific study of yoga shows that mental and physical health are not just closely related, but are essentially the same,” say researchers at Harvard Medical School.
What’s the best? Yoga can be done just about anywhere. You can find classes near you by doing a quick search on Google. On YouTube, we also suggest Yoga with Adriene’s Yoga for Anxiety and Stress and Yoga for Depression.
Hiking
Hiking can be especially helpful if you have trouble with the repetitive thoughts that often come with anxiety and depression. Doctors are now giving their patients “nature prescriptions” that tell them to turn off their phones and get outside to improve their physical and mental health.
WebMD says that just five minutes in nature can improve your mood, sense of self-worth, and motivation. If putting on your hiking boots seems like more of a chore than a fun thing to do, put on your sneakers and go for a fast walk instead.
Gardening
Gardening is another great hobby that will help you connect with nature. Whether you plant a whole vegetable garden or just a pot of your favorite flowers, gardening stops bad feelings in their tracks and makes other mental health symptoms less severe.
If you can’t garden at home, you could volunteer at a community garden or go to a local nursery to look for plants that can be grown indoors.
Cooking
People generally believe that some foods can improve both physical and mental health, but cooking itself has also been linked to easing anxiety and depression. Focusing on the task at hand is important when making a meal, and chopping, stirring, and sautéing can be very relaxing.
Trying out new ingredients is a good way to keep cooking fun. Look for recipes that use foods that are known to help with depression and anxiety. WebMD suggests eating a lot of antioxidants, protein, “smart” carbs, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
If you’ve never cooked before, you might want to take a cooking class. You’ll learn how to make healthy meals on your own and meet other new cooks.
It takes courage to try a new hobby, especially if you’re already busy or feeling down. Try picking a hobby from our list and being kind to yourself. When you’re trying to deal with anxiety or depression, the last thing you need is to make yourself feel bad about yourself.
Set your hobby time as a priority by scheduling it like you would an appointment. Having a friend join you can also help. Having a friend along can make a new activity more fun and keep you accountable.
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