Emotions are something we deal with on a routine basis. While some sensations have the power to make us feel like we’re on top of the world, others can induce a sense of crashing down just as suddenly. Be it anxiety or exhilaration that fuels your daily schedule, having healthy hobbies can prove to be a saviour when nothing else seems to be working out.
Here, we’ve created a comprehensive list of unique hobbies you can indulge in to pass time and emotions in a healthier fashion.
Anxious
Be it the sweat on your forehead or the constant feeling of restlessness, anxiety is no easy emotion to battle with. It carries physiological as well as psychological after-effects that can be quite devastating without a suitable outlet to divert our mind to. In such situations, an activity like aromatherapy can provide a healthy release of serotonin and other nerve-calming neurotransmitters in the body. The essential oils used in this therapy relax the olfactory nerves which help signal the brain to stop spiralling out of control. Colouring, though considered a child’s activity, can also help provide ease to unsteady nerves by helping us focus on the present moment and shift our mind from fixating on negative thoughts. Yoga and progressive muscle relaxation techniques can help release physical tension and mental distress.
Sad
Bouts of sadness are bound to hit you at the most inopportune moments of your life. Hence, creating a comfort kit of things that give you small doses of joy such as a favourite blanket, tea or book can help deal with the unexpected nature of this emotion. An action as simple as listening to upbeat music or thoughtful podcasts can help turn your mood around by providing you a better outlet to connect with another and truly process what you’re feeling. Gardening has also proved to be a contributor to reducing stress and boosting mood levels by helping you reconnect with nature and feel a sense of added accomplishment while doing so.
Angry
The ability to transform our negative emotions into positive outcomes is possibly the biggest but most rewarding challenge of all. The next time you’re angry, instead of bursting your frustration on innocent bystanders, pick up a pen and a piece of paper to write down what you feel for better self-reflection. Journalling is an underappreciated but powerful tool to understand the true reasons behind your feelings and can help detect certain triggers or behaviours in due time. Dance is another fun yet powerful tool to channel physical rage into a creative release of pent-up energy. Doing intense workouts like HIITs or simply taking a stroll through nature can reduce the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol in your body while inducing a sense of calm and peace instead.
Overwhelmed
“Small hobbies can help in emotional regulation as they help you gain focus and mindfulness. They help you to express yourself in a creative way by increasing stimulating hormones such as endorphins and dopamine. Hobbies also help in channelising negative thoughts, offering a sense of accomplishment,” says Bhakti Joshi, a counselling psychologist at Samarpan Health, a mental health counselling and wellness centre. When emotions burden and surround you from all ends, fidget toys or sensory items can provide distraction from feeling too overwhelmed. Instead of constantly trying to multitask, focus on finishing one job at a time which helps save time as well as deliver better results. Prioritising what’s on hand can also be a god-save. Divide your pending roles into headers of what you must do, what you should do and what you can do to understand what requires more attention than the rest.
Inspired
Though considered a positive emotion, certain activities can help make sure that moments of inspiration last long enough to be converted into real action. A new favourite pastime of many has been to create vision boards of what they envision their life to look like in the future. This and creating goal maps can be a thoughtful, artistic and creative way to set a clear path for the future. Investing this extra energy into personal mini projects that might have been pending for quite a while such as starting a blog or finishing a chore helps make sure that you use your time in the best manner possible.
Picking up hobbies in a moment of distress is quite easy for most. The challenging part arrives in turning this one-time reaction into a consistent pattern, something a lot of people struggle to do in the long run. To aid the process of sustaining hobbies, Joshi suggests, “Remember why you started the activity and focus on the positive emotions that were enhanced while doing so. Be realistic about your hobbies. Having high expectations due to beginner’s luck can set you back. Keep time aside in your schedule and turn it into mindfulness.”
When in doubt or peril, remember there’s always a new diversion looking your way.
