It’s grand to have a hobby, something you can make progress with, learn from and keep you focused on. Sometimes hobbies can relax us after being around people all day and sometimes they can bring us towards like-minded people when we struggle to make friends.
Here’s a list of Hobbies that are good for Anxiety
Photography
I’ve talked about being a photographer while having social anxiety before on this blog but I really do believe it’s a brilliant hobby to have. It helped my anxiety in such a way, that I was able to do it professionally.
The greatest thing about photography, is that there are so many subjects to choose from, that you don’t have to be massively social, you don’t have to photograph people but if you do, you tend to end up feeling more confident with a camera in your hand.
If you’re photographing landscapes or nature, it can help give you a little motivation to leave the house and take some long walks in fresh air, which is excellent for your overall mental (and physical) health. If you want to try your hand at portrait photography, it will give you a push to work with people and build your social skills.
Gardening
There’s something really chill about gardening. Being outdoors in the fresh air, you can recharge and get some Vitamin D at the same time, which would be great for days where you’re recovering from being super sociable or you need to focus on something to distract you from anxious thoughts.
Even better if you can grow your own veg and put healthy nutritious food in your body.
Walking
Personally one of my favourite things to do to clear my head and make me feel more relaxed, confident and strong. Taking long walks and hikes helped my mental health in so many ways at the darkest times in my life.
Try using a fitness tracker and hitting a step goal every day, surround yourself with trees, somewhere away from buildings and people.
Crafting
Crocheting, making your own clothes or jewellery; Anything crafty can be a great distraction from your anxious thoughts going wild and can be deeply relaxing.
Writing
I’ve talked about how much writing this blog has helped me but I really do think that if you enjoy writing, it can be extremely beneficial to your anxiety and overall mental health. It’s such a lovely, creative way to process your thoughts and feelings, especially if you write specifically about your experiences and if you choose to share your writing publicly, you can help so many people who are in a similar boat.
The art of journaling is also becoming increasingly popular due to its mental health benefits. Faith from Radical Transformation Project has some great journal writing prompts on her blog to get you started.
Art
Another really relaxing and creative way to process your feelings through a hobby. You can paint/draw or digitally illustrate pieces that reflect your anxiety and experiences or you can just learn a new skill and use it as a way to escape every day life.
Reading
This is not something I ever do, I’m ashamed to say. Unless articles I found on Pinterest or other blogs count? I’ve heard reading books is very relaxing though! Maybe one day, I’ll give it a try.
Exercise
Any exercise is good for anxiety and stress relief but Yoga is up there at the top for many people with anxiety. Yoga with Adriene was recommended to me by someone following this blog, as she has lots of yoga videos specifically for anxiety.
Boxing can also be ace for relieving all the tension and stress that anxiety causes. Imagine having an awful day and then beating the crap out of a punching bag?! Yes please!
You could also try swimming, which is a good all-rounder or maybe an exercise class where you can meet new people and step out of your comfort zone a little.
Playing an instrument
Especially if it’s the Drums! You can relieve so much stress and anxiety playing the drums (I used to have a kit in my room as a teenager) but if it’s another instrument, it still has the potential of being therapeutic.
What are your favourite hobbies? Let me know in the comments!
Kel J
I'm Kel, a Somerset blogger originally from North Wales & a professional portrait photographer. I grew up with a severe social anxiety disorder and now blog about triumphing over anxiety and looking after your mental health.
Great post!! I’ve been getting more and more into gardening lately and love watching my plants grow :).
That’s great Jessica 🙂 I can’t wait to get a proper garden (we’re looking to move) so I can spend time out there xx
Thanks so much for the shout out! I love your blog and everything that you’re doing. II was so excited to see my blog mentioned in this post!! <3
These are really great suggestions! Some of them, I already do and others I think I might try sometime! Thanks for sharing!
Reading is my go to when I’m really anxious! Helps me escape reality for a little while and calms my brain from the one thousand and one thoughts bouncing around by making me focus on one thing.
That’s brilliant Chloe! I totally wish I could read more, I suck at it because my attention span is pretty rubbish but I watch movies a lot instead, with my headphones on, so I can escape for a while 🙂
I started journaling again with the encouragement of my therapist and also using a colouring for therapy app. I think it’s helped me be a little more present and kind to myself. Anyways this was a great post. Keep up the good work. Love this stuff…much needed in todays world
Oh that’s really good to hear Joseph! Hope the therapy is going well 🙂
Very helpful. Will save pin and try. thankyou
For sharing.
I agree with all of those. Walking, exercising and just getting fresh air really helps me out a lot.
It’s amazing what a bit of fresh air can do for your mental health 🙂
I am so glad that I ran across your website. It is such a comfort to know that there are others like me. I don’t feel so alone and at times paralyzed. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for years, but I am just now trying to get the help I need. Hopefully one day I can live a full, worry less happy life. Thank you for having the courage to post your struggles in being your true self
I really hope you can Karin, all the hard work is so worth it and I’m so glad you are trying to get help.
Great article. I would also suggest meditation and breath work. Take care Heather
As a singer-songwriter, when it comes to my anxiety, I sing and let it all out. And if I can’t find a song that express my anxiety at the moment, I write one. The only time this doesn’t work is when I’m having a panic attack. I’m glad to see creativity being a suggested outlet for anxiety.
I’ve just started to learn to play the ukulele, which I have to concentrate and need to do each day to harden my finger tips up, so find this a great help. I also like colouring in, love the results. Jigsaws are another good way if becoming fully absorbed in something. Thanks for the article.
Ohh jigaws are good for anxiety for sure, I love any kind of puzzles to distract my mind. And wow the Ukulele, that’s amazing!
I love this post so much! All of your tips are great! The idea of gardening is my favorite. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment so I can’t plant a garden but I do want to start a mini indoor garden hehe 🙂 I’d love to grow a veggie garden one day when I buy my own home, though!
Writing and blogging helps my anxiety SO much as well. I was having pretty bad panic attacks last week and working on my blog relieved a lot of stress. Listening to and playing music is another great hobby. I personally enjoy making playlists and playing songs on my guitar. 💛
Fantastic post! Thank you so much for sharing all of these awesome hobbies!! x
A mini indoor garden sounds amazing! Indoor plants are useful for so many things. And I’m glad writing helped relieve some of your stress, I can definitely understand that 🙂
This post was really helpful for me. Thank you for putting out the amazing content.
These are some great ideas, some of which I’ve tried myself like reading, writing my blog, walking and photography. But I think I’d enjoy doing something artsy or creative too.