Try One of These 11 Stress-Relieving Hobbies (& Why You Should)

Last updated on May 28th, 2024 at 02:50 pm

Life is stressful. We all deal with different levels of anxiety and stress on a regular basis. It’s a part of being human, but sometimes it can get to be too much. It can even go so far as to affect your mood, behavior, and overall health! 

If “stressed” is how you have been describing yourself these days, it may be time to pick up one of these stress-relieving hobbies. Before you say no to the idea of adding yet another thing to your schedule, hear me out. There are actually several benefits to incorporating hobbies into your busy life:

• A hobby could help prevent burnout by providing a much-needed outlet.
• Pursuing a hobby can add some excitement to your life.
• Hobbies are fun! They can make you happy.
• A hobby provides an opportunity to take a break while still feeling productive.
• It can be an excuse to get out and socialize.
• Hobbies could help you wind down and quiet your mind so you can sleep better.

If you have no idea where to start with a hobby, don’t worry about it! I have a healthy list of ideas for your next hobby.

Stress-Relieving Hobbies

Journaling

Whether you tap the keyboard or scribble in a pretty journal, writing can be therapeutic. You could write out your thoughts and feelings or simply the events of the day. Other forms of journaling could be more creative like using calligraphy or writing stories.

Coloring

There’s a reason adult coloring has become popular these days. It’s so stress relieving! Grab a coloring book and colored pencils–or crayons, markers, or watercolors.

If there’s an artist in you, draw your own pictures to color. Unleashing your inner creativity is a wonderful way to give yourself a much-needed break from the chaos of everyday life. Whether you’re sketching simple landscapes or exploring intricate dragon drawing techniques, creating your own artwork can be both relaxing and rewarding.

Crafting

Anything from knitting (a very popular stress-relieving activity) to building pallet furniture, getting crafty could be the outlet you’ve been looking for. What better way to give your mind a break from your worries while you focus on bringing something beautiful to life.

Reading

Yes, curling up with a good book is on our list of stress-relieving hobbies! While self-help type books are good, something to read simply for the fun of it may be the better medicine. Reading  transports you to different worlds, allowing you to escape the stresses of reality and unwind, and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need!

Dancing

Being active in itself is great for releasing that stress, but there’s something about dancing that chases stress away. Sign up for a class or simply dance the night away in your own living room. Getting your body moving releases endorphins, but it also provides a fun and liberating outlet to express yourself and let go of tension.

Gardening

Fresh air works wonders for lifting a mood, but gardening is so much more than that. From the planning of what to plant, to the organizing of the garden layout, to the act of planting, all the way to enjoying the fruits of your labor; gardening has many stress-reducing facets. The sense of accomplishment and connection with nature can help melt away worries and soothe the soul.

Baking

Bake away the stress in the form of the classic cake or a specialty bread. Baking is a delightful stress reliever because the process of mixing ingredients, the comforting aroma filling your kitchen, and the joy of creating something delicious can turn even the toughest days into sweet moments of relaxation. Sharing your baked goods is also rewarding in its own way. Dark chocolate is known for boosting your mood too, so make sure to have some of that on hand!

Hiking

Hiking is an amazing stress reliever because it allows you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life, immerse yourself in nature’s beauty, and take in fresh air and scenic views, rejuvenating both your body and mind. Studies have shown that getting out in nature has measurable calming effects. Making hiking a hobby will not only allow you to reap that calming benefit, but you can explore new places and experience new adventures. [Also read: Best National Park Day Hikes for Beginners]

Running

Running is a fantastic stress reliever because it gives you the opportunity to clear your mind, release pent-up energy, and experience the therapeutic rhythm of your footsteps pounding the pavement, leaving stress in the dust behind you. If you’re the type of person who thinks running should only happen when someone is chasing you, consider stress as that someone chasing you! (Check out my 5 Reasons You Should Take Up Running.)

Music

Music is an incredible stress reliever because it has the power to lift your mood and transport you to a place of calm and tranquility, making it the perfect remedy for a hectic day. Make a playlist of all your favorite songs or venture out and experience new music. Take up the piano again, or sing in the shower. However you incorporate music into your life, it’s a worthy hobby to have!

Playing Puzzles

Puzzles are a great way to relieve stress because you have a goal to focus on, but you can still take as much time as you need until you get to the finished product. Typically. people think of jigsaw puzzles, but some other puzzles to consider are number puzzles like Sudoku or word puzzles like Wordle and crossword puzzles.

If word puzzles get frustrating, don’t be afraid to use a tool to help, like Unscrambled Words, which helps solve anagrams and crossword puzzles. After all, this is supposed to be a relaxing pastime, so don’t worry if you need a little help.

If you like jigsaw puzzles, you can even play online, so there’s no need for a large table for working your puzzle and no cleaning up the pieces either. Sites like Im-a-puzzle.com and others offer thousands of online jigsaw puzzles for free.

Solo Card Games

Dive into the world of solitaire or hearts for a peaceful retreat. Solo card games are perfect for sharpening your mind while providing a serene break from daily stresses. Whether you’re laying out cards on a quiet afternoon or tapping through a game on your phone, these games combine relaxation with mental engagement, making them an ideal choice for some stress-free downtime.

A new hobby (especially one of these stress-relieving hobbies) could be just the thing your busy life needs to finally find relief and enjoyment again. 

Also read:
Self-Care Checklist Printable (Free)
The Benefits of Taking a Break + 35 Mental Health Day Ideas
30 Stress-Relief Coloring Books for Adults: The Perfect Way to Unwind

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