Is your life full of excessive stress? These stress reducing hobbies will help you take your mind off whatever is causing you anxiety if you’re feeling burnt out and need some time to relax and unwind!

The secret is to find a stress-relieving hobby you enjoy. Thankfully, there are plenty of options. That said, we’ve compiled a list of the top ways to reduce stress! Before we delve into our list, let’s first discuss why you should aim to reduce stress in the first place.

Why Would You Want to Feel Less Stressed?

So why should you try to reduce your stress? After all, for most of us, stress seems to be an inevitable part of life. However, stress can also have negative long-term effects on health, such as depression, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.

Given all these detrimental effects of stress, it makes sense to minimise the problem as much as possible. Taking up a hobby doesn’t aim to remove stress entirely. Instead, it reduces your tension to a more manageable level.

Reducing stress has several benefits. However, reducing stress serves two key purposes: it improves your mental state for pursuing career and financial goals. When stress isn’t a barrier, you’re able to fulfil your full potential. The good news is that a wide range of hobbies can help reduce stress.

11 Ways to Reduce Stress

Finding an activity you enjoy shouldn’t be too difficult. I cover some of the top suggestions below. But consider this list as a starting point.

Don’t give up on the idea of taking up a hobby if you can’t find one that interests you. Instead, go ahead with another way that appeals to you. Now let’s explore them!

1. Keep a Journal

One of the best stress reducing hobbies is journaling your thoughts. For me, when I need to work through a particularly tough situation, I consult my journal. There’s something really soothing about writing with a pen and paper.

If you’re looking for a way to de-stress about your financial relationship, you might want to consider keeping a spending diary.

2. Play a Musical Instrument

Are you a music lover? Make more of your passion by learning to play an instrument. Mastering any skill takes time, but picking up an instrument can be a fun way to de-stress.

If you’re not ready to start playing, you might want to try some stress reducing music. For example, you could spend more time listening to your favourite musician to ease tension.

3. Puzzles

Solving a puzzle can be a fun challenge. You can choose a puzzle with a picture that sparks your interest. Your stress levels might drop surprisingly quickly when you’re focused on solving the puzzle in front of you.

Not only is puzzle-solving one of the most affordable pastimes, but it’s also a great way to de-stress!

4. Gardening

One of the best ways to try to reduce stress is gardening. Whether you start an indoor plant collection or create a large outdoor garden, gardening can be a stress reducing hobby.

Over the gardening season, your pride in your little plant empire will grow. Check out the seed section of your local library to get seeds for free. Many provide seed banks containing plant varieties that are suited to thrive in your climate.

5. Crocheting

Crocheting is a repetitive hobby that can help clear your mind. For me, I love crocheting! I can enjoy my downtime and feel quite accomplished at the same time.

You can also use this newly acquired skill to give a thoughtful gift. Handmade items are quite popular, even if it’s just a tea towel or something small.

6. Sketching

Another great technique for stress relief is drawing. Focusing on the page in front of you while clearing your mind is very beneficial.

If you don’t think you can sketch freely, you might want to get an adult colouring book. You’ll quickly create a beautiful image on the page by following the lines.

7. Dancing

Whether you want to take a dance class or just dance around the living room, this kind of activity can help you unwind. Your body will be kept busy with this exercise for a while. Spending a short while dancing might help you approach the problem from a different angle.

8. Working Out

There are other ways to raise your heart rate besides dancing. The Mayo Clinic states that almost any type of exercise can help reduce stress.

So, you need to decide which physical activity best suits your lifestyle. Consider engaging in stress reducing activities like yoga, swimming, walking, playing sports, and running.

9. Baking

One hobby that yields delicious treats is baking. Baking is a great way to de-stress and take your mind off your worries. If you’re not sure where to start, consider taking on a straightforward baking task.

You might start by making your very first batch of cupcakes, for example. Baking is one of the best pastimes for reducing stress and creating a lovely aroma in your home!

10. Cooking

Cooking can become an art form, even if you just cook to survive or you hate it. You’ll enjoy your supper and the peaceful time in your kitchen in addition to having a lovely meal.

Try, if you can, to focus on preparing nutritious meals that support your overall goal of reducing stress.

11. Reading

Is it tempting to spend some time travelling to another planet? A good novel will include all of that. Thankfully, there are plenty of great options available.

The best part is that you don’t need to spend any money to start this stress reducing hobby. Instead, pick up a free book from your local library.

12. Video Games

Playing video games is another way to escape your current situation. Most games take place in brand-new worlds that have nothing to do with the things that are stressing you out.

Like any hobby, you need to be careful not to overdo it. Otherwise, playing video games could turn into a harmful pastime that increases your stress levels.

13. Painting

Picking up a paintbrush can be a stress reducing activity. Whether or not you’ve attended painting classes, that’s true. Nothing in the rules should stop you from trying it.

Paint by numbers is an option to consider if you’re unsure where to start. However, take a painting class if you want to take it to the next level. Painting is one of the most enjoyable pastimes for stress relief.

14. Going Camping

Spending time in nature can help you reconnect with what’s important. And it often eases your anxiety. If spending a whole night outdoors isn’t feasible for you, consider taking a hike in the countryside.

In conclusion, finding a hobby you enjoy can be a powerful tool for managing stress. From creative pursuits like painting and writing to physical activities like gardening and dancing, there’s a wide range of options to explore. 

Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate stress entirely, but to find healthy ways to cope with it. By incorporating a stress reducing hobby into your life, you can improve your overall well-being and reduce the negative impacts of stress. So, why not give it a try and discover a new passion that helps you unwind and recharge?