As someone who knows what it's like to feel like you're about to be in a car crash when you're just safely sitting on your sofa, I’m here to guide you through 20 hobbies that can work wonders for soothing anxiety. Whether you’re navigating the roller coaster of life or seeking moments of calm amidst the chaos, these hobbies can bring you some much needed relaxation and rejuvenation.

Gardening: Cultivating Serenity in the Soil

Picture this: the sun on your face, hands in the dirt, and the gentle rustle of leaves. Gardening isn’t just about growing plants; it’s about nurturing your own well-being. As someone who finds solace in tending to my plants during stressful times, I can attest to the grounding and therapeutic nature of gardening. The process of sowing, weeding, and watching your plants flourish can be incredibly calming and rewarding.

If it's a particularly tough day or you're not the best of gardeners then just go for the tidying approach. Chop it, hack it or bin it if it doesn't belong and buy some ready-filled pretty planters or baskets from the garden centre. Voila!

Painting or Drawing: Unleash Your Creative Spirit

Grab a canvas, some paintbrushes, and let your imagination run wild! Painting or drawing isn’t about creating masterpieces; it’s about expressing yourself and finding peace in colours and lines. During a particularly anxiety-ridden period, I turned to painting as a form of emotional release, and the act of creating helped me find moments of tranquility amidst the chaos. It also looked like a four year old had painted it, but who cares?!

Yoga and meditation: Finding Zen on the Mat

Roll out your yoga mat and breathe in, breathe out. Yoga isn’t just a physical practice; it’s a journey of self-discovery and mindfulness. The practice of meditation can also help you find inner calm in the midst of uncertainty. If you don't think meditation is for you, then try reading this and see if it changes your mind.

Cooking or Baking: Whipping Up Comfort in the Kitchen

There’s magic in the alchemy of flavours and aromas in the kitchen. Cooking or baking isn’t just about putting food on the table; it’s about nourishing your soul. But what if you're a terrible cook and you cake bake for toffee? Well me too so here's an idea - do you remember those 'Cupcake in a box' packs maybe your Mum might have bought when you were a kid? Like these ones

I mean these look way more fun than grown up baking and if they are meant for kids, surely the worst of us bakers can manage them right?

Crafting: Embracing Creativity as Therapy

Enter the world of crafting and discover a realm of endless possibilities. Whether it’s knitting a cosy scarf, crocheting a colourful blanket, or scrap booking cherished memories, crafting offers a haven of creativity and mindfulness. If crafting isn't so much your thing, what about designing or building something? There are tons of apps and computer programmes that let you design a room on screen with ready made furniture or build your dream house.

Reading: Escaping Into the World of Words

Step into a world of imagination and escape the pressures of reality through the pages of a good book. Reading isn’t just a pastime; it’s a gateway to new worlds and perspectives. During the tough times, I find solace at my local library. It's free, quiet, it gets me out of the house and I leave with a bag filled with possibilities on paper.

Walking or Hiking: Nature’s Therapy for the Soul

Put on your walking shoes, breathe in the fresh air, and let nature be your guide. Walking or hiking isn’t just about physical exercise; it’s about reconnecting with the earth and your inner self. It's entirely free and as long as you've got wellies and a rain coat, an almost year round activity.

Photography: Capturing Moments of Beauty

Capture moments of beauty and meaning through the lens of a camera. Photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about seeing the world through a new perspective. If you don't have a camera, no worries. Most phones have a pretty good lense these days and there are loads of apps and websites for editing your pics.

Playing Musical Instruments: Harmony in Melody

Pick up a guitar, piano, or any musical instrument that speaks to your soul and make music your therapy. Playing musical instruments isn’t just about creating melodies; it’s about expressing emotions and finding harmony within yourself.

Now the only instrument I've ever played is the recorder at primary school. Why oh why did they give us all the worst sounding instrument in the world to learn?! So with no instruments in my life and frankly no talent for them, I just find music and create playlists I love to listen to instead.

Journaling: Unleashing Your Thoughts on Paper

Pour your heart out, jot down your thoughts, and release your emotions onto paper. Journaling isn’t just about writing; it’s about processing feelings and gaining clarity. If journalling doesn't appeal to you, maybe try a Mind Project instead.

www.featheredpaths.co.uk

Imagination tools - Giving your mind a fun project, it actually wants to work on.The what - Work on one of these projects in your mind, just for a giggle. Pick one of the below. Try a different one each day, or even make up one of your own. Try to create as much detail as possible and don't be afraid to dream big, get silly and really have fun with this. There are no rules with these projects! • Design the most amazing fantasy workplace. This is a place where people absolutely love to come to wo

Dancing: Grooving Your Way to Happiness

Turn on some music, let loose, and dance like nobody's watching! Dancing isn’t just about moving your body; it's about releasing pent-up energy and embracing joy. Even if you're as graceful as a hippo in tap shoes like me, who cares? Put on your favourite tunes and bust a move in the comfort of your own living room.

Volunteering: Spreading Kindness and Community Spirit

Give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of others through volunteering. Volunteering isn’t just about helping others; it's about fostering connections, building empathy, and creating positive change. Whether it's lending a hand at a local charity or participating in community events, the act of giving back can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.

Board Games or Puzzles: Engaging Your Mind and Imagination

Gather your friends or family, pick a board game, and let the fun times begin! Playing board games engages your mind and can even create lasting family memories. Whether you prefer classic board games, jigsaw puzzles, or brain teasers, the simple act of playing can bring people together and uplift your spirits.

If you prefer solitude, what about puzzle books, colouring for adults or crosswords? My personal favourite is Hanje puzzles which are basically eliminating squares via number clues until a picture emerges.

People Watching: Finding Peace in a crowded world

Ok I don't mean people watching like become a stalker! But what about getting yourself a coffee somewhere and just watching the world go by? People are fascinating and it can be fun to come up with stories in your mind of what you think that person does for a living or what you imagine their biggest secret might be!

Gaming: Immersing Yourself in Virtual Worlds

Step into the realm of gaming and embark on thrilling adventures, epic quests, and immersive experiences. Gaming is great for escapism, testing your skills, and connecting with an online community. Whether you prefer action-packed games, strategy simulations, or cooperative adventures, gaming offers a gateway to excitement and escapism right at your fingertips.

Out of the boxy type exercise

Bouldering, pole dancing, sling bungee and trampolining are all ways to exercise to release some of that anxious energy. They are also super fun as hobbies! Bonus, people will think you are a more interesting person than the average when you have a hobby that's not so common ;)

If you fancy something even more out of the box - check these ideas out.

Travelling: Embarking on Adventures and Discoveries

Pack your bags, set off on a journey, and explore the wonders of the world. Travelling isn’t just about visiting new places; it’s about immersing yourself in diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.

Whether you prefer solo adventures, family trips, or group tours, the act of travelling can open your mind, expand your horizons, and create lasting memories that enrich your soul. Need a change of scene on a small budget or a tight schedule? Find out how to do that here.

Singing: Expressing Your Emotions Through Melody

Raise your voice, sing your heart out, and let the music be your guide. It doesn't matter, if like me you sound like a drowning cat when you sing. If you sing somewhere no one can hear you, what does it matter? Use singing to express emotions, release tension, and discover your inner diva. Whether you're a shower singer, karaoke enthusiast, or member of a choir, the act of singing can uplift your spirits, boost your mood, and create harmony within yourself.

Taking good care of a pet

Dog walking, agility training, fluffy cat grooming or making a beautiful sanctuary for your lizard or a play tunnel for your hamster. Pets can bring us so much joy and calm. So why not take extra good care of your pet (or offer to look after someone else's) and spread kindness to animals whilst also managing your anxiety? If you're able to, you could also consider fostering or adopting from an animal shelter. Doing good does good for you too.

Take a look at what's out there

We've all heard of most of these hobbies before so if they didn't appeal to you earlier, they might still not now. In that case, take a look at what else is out there. The different, the unusual and the just plain weird. It's completely ok if what is weird to others is totally your vibe!

Here's a whole bunch of ideas to get you started -

Weird Workouts Weird Hobbies Unusual Hobbies

Unusual hobbies you might not have tried

Strange hobbies from around the world

So, bottom line is, finding a hobby that makes you feel good, calm, and happy is super important for keeping anxiety at bay and just generally finding the good feels in life. Whether it's getting your hands dirty in the garden, splashing colours on a canvas, or immersing yourself in the virtual world of gaming, there's a hobby out there for everyone.

So, try out different things to see what clicks with you. Dive into the world of hobbies and let them work their magic on your mind and soul. You totally deserve it!