When life gets busy, it becomes easy to overlook looking after ourselves. Self-care can be making time for the things we love. Here are some hobbies to help you balance mental wellbeing, keeping yourself entertained and happy, while also getting life done.
Since the start of the pandemic a study found, more than 8 out of 10 adults have taken up a new hobby in a bid to boost their mental and physical health. These include a range of activities like:
- Writing & reading
- Painting
- Knitting
- Gardening
- And exercising!
75% of individuals want exercise to be part of their activities as it helps reduce anxiety, depression and stress while increasing self-esteem and confidence. Exercise benefits us mentally and physically by providing a sense of mindfulness and helping us sleep better at night.
Hobbies can often become difficult to make into a habit – especially when you’re feeling unmotivated. Sometimes we feel mentally overwhelmed or work and other commitments get in the way. Here are some tips to follow to create a regular space for the things you love:
How to maintain your hobbies:
- Planning:
By dedicating time to do activities will help us maintain our hobbies for our own benefit. Organising our schedules can be helped with a planner- be it a physical book or at the touch of our fingers on phones, planning is as easy that! Try these apps:
Microsoft To Do (use it to manage multiple tasks simultaneously)
Jour (helps minimise distractions while helping to channel positive emotions)
Evernote (versatile for all your needs, be it note taking or managing tasks!) - Change It Up:
Sometimes, hobbies can get boring too – don’t be afraid to change what you spend your time on. Why not venture out of your comfort zone and try something new? - Accept Challenges:
Being a beginner can be tough, but it takes time to improve at things so take your time and enjoy yourself, don’t be afraid of failing. - Include Hobbies in Your Daily Routine:
Incorporating hobbies into our schedules can also help maintain balance- why not dedicate a specific day or time from your hectic week for an activity?
Calling all foodies and aspiring chefs- you could use your lunch time to learn a new recipe as a hobby every week, or perhaps you could try a new cuisine every Monday! Giving yourself something to look forward to will help you keep excited and positive even when things feel tough. - Hobbies with friends and family
Dealing with our emotions alone can often be lonesome and isolating, which can further take a negative toll on our mental health. Completing hobbies with friends and family can help us combat loneliness as well as giving us time to bond and enjoy our time with each other- which is always a plus! Better yet, you can also make new friends by joining clubs committed to the hobbies you are interested in- like book clubs or sport groups! Meeting enthusiastic like-minded individuals will allow you to be part of an enriching community- giving you a place to belong and let off steam.
Why are hobbies important?
Hobbies provide opportunities for relaxation, allowing us to manage our emotions and feel better by having a creative outlet.
Taking a break from responsibilities and commitments is important to avoid mental burnout. By having an enjoyable activity to do, it gives us a sense of control which is important when it feels like our mind is cluttered. Hobbies can also relieve work and academic pressure!
Whether it’s something you love, something you want to learn, start a hobby to help heal your inner self; hobbies aren’t tasks we must complete but elements of fun we need!
If you’re no longer enjoying the things you love, or lack motivation, you might need more support for your mental health. Check out Heal Hub to get more information about therapy and support services.
Written by Anisa Begum
For LyfeproofUK
