A common new development many of us find ourselves with is a new abundance of free time. Many people find this to be daunting as they are unsure of what to do.
However, many have found that this presents ample time to focus on a new hobby, or a hobby they had been planning to work towards but didn’t have the time.
For this week’s Feel Good Friday, we discuss some hobbies that one can partake in and see which ones work for you.
Writing
Many have considered writing, but it isn’t reserved to only fiction writing. Many find journaling to be beneficial to their mental health. Per the University of Rochester Medical Center, “When you have a problem and you’re stressed, keeping a journal can help you identify what’s causing that stress or anxiety. Once you’ve identified your stressors, you can work on a plan to resolve the problems and reduce your stress.”
Playing an instrument
With the surplus of time that many have been given, many have found that they are able to devote time to playing an instrument. This is aided by the fact that with our modern age many tutorials are made accessible by websites like YouTube and Skillshare.
Cooking
While cooking your own meals is more time consuming, and many times more complicated than just simply microwaving a ready-to-go-meal or ordering out, the process itself can be very rewarding.
Per Psychology Today, “food-related activities involving shopping, cooking, planning, and, of course, eating, can serve as useful tools for helping individuals feel better about themselves, enjoy shared experiences with others, and adopt desirable health habits.”
Crafts
Per the Division of Agriculture Research & Extension, “In one study of more than 3,500 knitters, published in The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81% of respondents with depression reported feeling happy after knitting. More than half reported feeling ‘very happy.'”
Working with your hands and creating something can reduce stress, help to reduce depression and anxiety, and can work towards building community and friendships.
The best way to begin your adventure with hobbies is to make the first step. Don’t be discouraged by the learning curve, as it’s something that everyone had to experience when picking up something new.