It’s no secret that many of us feel chronically stressed. We’re constantly pulled in all directions, and when we finally catch a break, all we can do is kick back with a little Netflix before bed.
The good news? You can break this cycle by intentionally adding more creativity and play into your daily routine.
Stress relief is a huge benefit of hobbies for adults, making it a valuable part of your self-care routine (and totally worth making time for).
Here are six ways that creative hobbies keep stress at bay.
1. Creative hobbies are immersive
Work, responsibilities, and life’s little stressors take up space in the back of your mind, making it tough to truly relax.
That is, unless you redirect your mind’s focus!
Creative hobbies do exactly this. They’re immersive because they require you to actively participate in the task at hand. They’re relaxing because they’re usually calming, low-pressure, and enjoyable.
Even an energetic hobby can be calming – think about how you feel after a good workout!
These simple hobby ideas are great for beginners, and they’ll give you that much-needed break:
- Colouring books – Yes, they make these for adults! They’re detailed and gorgeous.
- Puzzling – Bonus points if the image is relaxing. Evenings spent working on sunset puzzles are a fan favourite!
2. Hobbies bring a sense of creative accomplishment
The drudgery of daily life can look like cleaning up the same messes, working on the same jobs, commuting to the same place, and so on.
Where’s the progress?
A hobby helps you jump back into the driver’s seat so you can feel like you’re really getting somewhere. You get to choose the project, the direction, and the timeline. You’re essentially reclaiming some autonomy and forward momentum, which can help shake off the stress of being stuck on autopilot.
Finishing that puzzle or colouring page are great examples. Any hobby with an end-goal would do the trick, such as:
- Crafting – Making anything with your hands. Why not look for some seasonal DIY craft tutorials?
- Knitting – As a bonus, you might even gift your finished creation!
3. Engaging in a hobby is a form of active rest
There are many types of rest, and sleep is only one of them.
Creative hobbies provide mental, emotional, and creative rest, all of which help reduce stress. This can look like:
- Journaling: Declutter your mind, process your day, and organize your thoughts for mental rest.
- Music: Sing to your favourite songs or create your own music for a healthy and energizing way to get emotional rest.
- Painting: Playing with different types of paints, different brush strokes, and different subjects is a form of creative rest. Let the colours surprise you!
You can explore about creativity and the 7 types of rest in The Creative’s Guide to Rest: 7 Ways to Restore Your Energy
4. A creative hobby helps you view life through a new lens
You can’t create in a vacuum. Some creative hobbies are great for harvesting inspiration from your daily life. They shift your focus from everyday stressors to the beauty around you. For example:
- Creative writing – Get inspired by the “characters” in your life and play what-if games with what you experience during the day.
- Sketching or art journaling – Start by drawing quick pictures of the objects around you! Danny Gregory developed his drawing habit by sketching his teacups each morning while waiting for the kettle to boil.
- Photography – Challenge yourself to find the beauty around you and capture it on your camera.
Suddenly, life becomes more interesting and full of creative opportunities.
Your mind gets a break from the usual grind if you can find a creative hobby that’s very different from your day job. If you have a desk job, then something like photography – requiring movement and visual creativity – would be perfect.
5. Creative hobbies help you connect with others
Solo hobbies are great, but joining a community – feeling like you’re a part of something – is so fulfilling. That connection pulls us out of the stress cycle and into something meaningful. A sense of community is key in reducing stress.
There are probably communities for every type of hobby out there, but here are some ideas:
- Dance classes – You can find partnered dance classes such as tango, or group dance classes in many genres. As a bonus, these classes are a great workout!
- Clubs – There are book clubs, knitting clubs, art clubs, and so many others. See what’s happening online or in your local area.
- Gardening – Community gardening is a great way to meet new people, learn new techniques, and share your produce, of course!
6. Your hobbies promote creative self-expression
How often do we get to do exactly what we want, how we want to do it? We need creative self-expression to feel authentic, to process emotion, and to foster a sense of belonging. Creative hobbies are a great opportunity to make space for inspiration.
A bonus benefit is the more we work creatively with what’s inside us, the more we can find ways to exercise our creativity at our jobs or in our daily lives. To be truly ourselves, even if only privately, can greatly reduce the stress of a world that asks us to be anything but.
Visual arts, music, and journaling are great vehicles for self-expression, but no need to stop here! The key is to find what feels best for you. What are you curious about? What do you find energizing? Let yourself get a little carried away!
Conclusion
A creative hobby could be just what you need to relieve stress and welcome joy back into your daily life.
Which hobby will you try first?
Writer’s note: Does this post seem to diverge from my typical writing style? Excellent. I’m expanding my repertoire to continually bolster my writing skills. Exploring different styles of writing is a great way to sharpen the saw!
Further reading:
- The Reciprocal Relationship Between Creativity and Career – why creativity and career belong together.
- How to Make ‘Finding Your Hobby’ a Grounding Personal Project – if you don’t know which hobby is for you, but you want to do something.
- Why I Always Recommend Bullet Journaling for Busy Creatives – any type of journaling is great, but bullet journals hit the sweet spot of mindfulness, productivity, and creativity.
- Want to Overcome Overwhelm? Your Hobby is the Key! A deeper dive into the stress-reducing benefits of creative hobbies.
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