Stress is a huge problem in our day to day life and we often don’t get enough time to deal with it. On average, every person in the US is affected by stress management issues. It’s either at work or at home, we tend to feel stressed everywhere. The pressure at work and the responsibilities at home will not let you de-stress. The best way to deal with stress is by finding something which will help you relax. Your mind and body both need to concentrate on something else which will release the stress. For this purpose, your hobbies can de-stress you.
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Health Benefits of Hobbies
Hobbies have tons of health benefits if you take a closer look at it. Yes, you can have physical, mental, psychological and emotional benefits by nurturing your hobbies. Now, there is also a concern that which hobbies can help you de-stress. Not all hobbies can reduce stress. A lot of people suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, they have little idea about the ways of dealing with it too. As a result, these people end up with anti-depressant and anxiety medications.
Your hobbies can help you release stress and it is completely true. A study conducted on a group of highly stressed people shows that, engaging in some leisure activity for a minimum of 30 minutes a week can help. These activities must help you enjoy and release stress. Here in this article, we have listed a couple of hobbies that can help you de-stress.
Experience Eustress
Not everyone suffers from stress management issues. Further, it is also important to be stressed so that there is a balance. Excessive stress is harmful to anyone and this is where your hobbies can help you. Your hobbies can build as well as reduce stress. It is a healthy activity and you must indulge in it. Hobbies often trigger Eustress which is a healthy form of stress. If your body is at rest all day, the blood circulation gets disrupted, you feel low and dull. Hobbies add the exact amount of stress your body needs and that is called Eustress.
8 Ways by which Hobbies Can De-stress You
1. Journaling
The best option to release stress is writing. A couple of studies conducted on stress management issues have shown that a person can de-stress through writing. It is more of a day to a daily journal entry. You just need to sit down and write about how the day went. Whatever you want to write, it can be good things or bad things. This is an effective way to de-stress, reduce depression and anxiety symptoms as well.
2. Gardening
Who doesn’t loves to go out in the fresh air and relax? Well, you can not only relax but also release stress by gardening. It is a wonderful feeling when you plant some trees and take care of them. It effectively refreshes your mood, boosts energy and reduces stress. It is a healing therapy that is good for your physical and mental health.
3. Listening To Music
Music can heal and it can lift up your mood as well. It doesn’t matter whether you are feeling low, stressed, depressed, etc. All you need is some good music therapy to let go of all the negativity. It is a soothing experience when you lay down on the recliner, put on the earphones and play your favorite music. Studies suggest that listening to soft music can release stress, reduce blood pressure and controls the heart rate too.
4. Reading
When you are highly stressed, your body tends to reject everything. Under such circumstances, you will feel angry, tensed, depressed, etc. The best way to deal with it is by reading a book. The novel you wanted to read but your workload didn’t let you do it. Go and read it. It is a good hobby to read books. When you read a book, your body relaxes automatically. This, in turn, reduces muscle tension and controls the heart rate.
5. Play Video Games
If you don’t believe that hobbies can de-stress you then you should try playing video games. It is a great option to de-stress as well as Eustress. Any game is effective enough to release the stress in your body. You can play arcade games, adventurous games, racing games or FPS games. All of these will help you de-stress.
6. Own a Pet
Someone waiting for you at home and feels overwhelmed when you get back home, how does that feel? Surely it feels really good. Well, pets are that someone and they can help you de-stress. Besides, the more you spend time with your pet, the more you release stress. As they cuddle with you, you tend to forget all the pressure and tension at work. It is like a cuddling therapy in which pets can give the best. They are your companion at your highs and your lows.
7. Hiking
When you feel too much stressed, just go for a hike. A lot of people go on hiking trips as it is their hobby. If you can’t go on a trip, go for a normal walk. This is a great stress-relieving method. Try it for once and you will never ask how hobbies can de-stress you. Walking helps in better blood circulation and is a healthy activity. Moreover, it can also help reduce stress by distracting your mind from the things causing stress.
8. Painting
Colors can change the mood of a person and the best way to dip yourself into colors is by painting. Take an hour to paint something on the canvas or a piece of paper. Each color you add to the canvas has an impact on your mental health. Psychologists state that the colors you choose explain a lot about you and your current state of mind.
You can try out any of these ways to release stress. Also, if you have any of these hobbies then nurture it. Stress is a very critical issue that affects both the physical and mental health of a person. You need to battle stress to live a healthy life.
