We’re all guilty of trying a new quarantine fad or two in order to stay sane during this pandemic. With social gatherings being frowned upon or outright outlawed, a lot of us have turned to hobbies in order to stay healthy and well-adjusted. In a “survey by The Healthy Work Company, a workplace mental health consultancy, 22 percent of respondents had taken up a new pastime in lockdown, while 35 percent had rediscovered an old one.” Not surprisingly, trying out new things have a beneficial effect on mental health, with 41% of those who take up a new hobby reporting a positive impact on their mental health, compared to 30 percent for those focusing on old hobbies[1].
Learning a new hobby refocused our attention on being curious and creative and away from feeling stressed and anxious. Yes, it is a distraction – but a very welcome one. It helps people regain perspective and trying to master an activity gives us a boost of confidence and self-esteem. You might think you have limited options with everyone being under some form of lockdown, but this is the time to get creative. Here are a few hobbies to try while from home. The best thing is, all of them are free!
- Calligraphy – is the art of beautiful handwriting. You can practice using existing templates or create your own designs. All you need are pens with different sized tips. If you have broad markers and fine-tipped pens, then you’re good to go.
- Yoga and Meditation – there are several free apps like Downdog, Calm, and Headspace that can take you through guided meditation and yoga.
- Foreign Language Film Buff – Netflix has a good curation of foreign films that come highly recommended. You might discover exciting things about other cultures and also get inspiration for your next travel destination.
- Baking – who doesn’t love baked goods? It doesn’t even have to be cookies, you can make pies or bread or even just start out with baking that leftover spaghetti and turning it into something new.
- Cocktail Mixing – you can impress your friends with your knowledge of cocktail mixing. Start with the classics: long island, gin + tonic, or an “old fashioned”.
- Needlework – explore cross-stitching, knitting, embroidery, or crochet
- Drawing or Painting – there are lots of YouTube videos to guide you through drawing or painting. You can even start with crayons or oil pastels, or whatever is available at home.
- Gardening – get a few hanging pots and soil, then clear out space near a sunny window. You can start with cuttings because those are easy to grow. Pothos plants can be rooted in water and require minimal care. Other plants that are low maintenance are aloe vera, peace lilies, ZZ plants, and jade plants. You can ask your #plantparent friends for cuttings of these plants.
These hobbies are
free or are very inexpensive to take up. Yet, they have huge benefits for your
mental health. What hobbies have you taken up during the pandemic? Share them
with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone
today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp
[1] https://www.positive.news/society/how-hobbies-helped-people-stay-positive-during-lockdown/