A person cannot live life to the fullest if all they do is work. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, which means that time off work is essential to live the best life. The worries and stress from everyday living will be made lighter when one takes up hobbies – a positive distraction, if you will! Here are five hobbies that are the best to help you keep a calm mind.
Playing Golf
Any physical activity can have a positive effect on both the body and the mind; however, knowing which ones to take up to easily calm the mind may not be as difficult as one might think. There are a number of activities to choose from like general exercise, sports, and even just plain walking.
Although considered a sport, golf is one hobby that many consider a calming activity. The amount of time spent around the golf course to get a hole in one is just enough to ease the worries that one might have. It is even made better when driving around the golf course with a golf cart. Some people even enjoy building their own golf carts especially with a lot of ezgo parts and accessories easily available.
Crocheting and Knitting
Keeping the hands busy keeps the mind focused, which makes crocheting and knitting a great hobby to take up to calm the mind. Crocheting and knitting help with one’s mindfulness. Being present and being in the moment helps soothe the mind in the current noisy and cluttered environment you may be present in. Each stitch needs your fervent attention, and each count is vital to making the perfect product of your hands.
The repetitive stitches that are in every crochet or knitted project are very calming to the eyes, along with the many colors and fibers of yarn to choose from! The concentration in pulling and turning the yarn with the hooks and needles almost produces a hypnotic effect, and before you know it, you have a gorgeous, colorful scarf, blanket, or whatever it may be – and that in itself is priceless happiness.
Taking Care of a Pet
Although one might think that this will produce more stress, the sense of companionship is the most comforting thing a pet can offer without doing much. This applies best to individuals who are alone, as coming home to a living, breathing being will give the home that cozy feeling longed after. Even with small animals like hamsters, fish, or even a turtle, the presence of these lovely creatures can instantly lift the spirit and is more than enough reason to try to take care of one.
Yoga
The endorphins that the body produces after a period of physical activity is the main reason why exercise works as a great way to relieve stress. Yoga is one such activity that prides itself on being the best to relieve stress. With a number of health benefits that include improvement of strength, flexibility, and posture, yoga remains to be one of the favorite hobbies for people that want to become healthy but don’t like the intensity of a sport. Hobbies that are stress relievers like this one produce a sense of gratification and pleasure that are necessary to keep the mind at ease. A balance between work and play as they say.
Baking and Cooking
It is the preparation of baked goodies that makes baking a great hobby for people. Preparing the ingredients, measuring them by the ounce and the fact that one can bake using variations of ingredients makes it fun and delightful. In addition, lots of baking ingredients such as matcha contains more calming neurotransmitters resulting in a more relaxed and calm feeling.
Cooking, on the other hand, tends to be looked at as a chore by some people. Instead of thinking about how this becomes a chore, think instead of the benefits one can get afterward. Good food is the result, so why not try it out? The focus on the said task is a great way to help the mind ease into a relaxing state, which makes cooking a great hobby to try.
Hiking
Walking in nature has been proven to be a good means to prevent depression, based on a study from Stanford University. Hiking reduces rumination or “the maladaptive pattern of self-referential thought that is associated with heightened risk for depression and other mental illnesses.” Because of the positive mood boost that it gives, hiking or just taking a walk will help calm the mind. The great scenery that one gets treated to is a plus too.
Having hobbies are a great way to give any individual validation, self-improvement, and a sense of having something to look forward to. So why not try any of the hobbies above and see if these give you that mental and physical boost you were looking for.
