Use Hobby Time to Manage Stress
This is the perfect time of year to explore a new hobby or pick back up one that you haven’t done in a while. Perhaps that’s how National Hobby Month came to be in January! Time spent on a fun activity is a wonderful way to engage your mind in something other than work, home or other daily stresses.
Where do you start in choosing a new hobby, particularly as an adult? For the greatest impact on your emotional wellbeing, it should spark passion as well as create a sense of relaxation. Here are some considerations that can help:
Go Back to Your Childhood. Are there things you loved as a kid that you might still enjoy as an adult? Perhaps you liked sewing projects or were always out on your bike. Rekindling old interests is a good place to start.
Look at What You Buy. Is there a guilty pleasure that you often buy when you’re shopping? That might be a clue towards your next hobby. Can’t pass up the scented candle section? Maybe you could make your own. Always thumbing through journals and notebooks? Start a regular writing practice. Your recent receipts may help you find some answers.
Give Yourself Some Options. Spend some time browsing in a online book store or crafts outlet or music emporium. See what captures your attention and inspires your imagination - perhaps cookbooks or painting supplies or a new kind of music.
See if You Can Lose Yourself. Start small - you may find free resources on the internet or use materials you already have at home to “try on” an activity. Once you get started, notice whether you start to unwind. If crocheting or learning a language helps you disconnect and reenergize, then you’ve discovered the right the hobby.
Finding something that makes you tick outside of work can help you cope when life is stressful, slip back into balance and build your resilience for the future.
