It is surely said that many people experience stress due to the busy life today. Therefore, looking for the way to control and reduce stress is essential. One of the best ways to calm your mind is to indulge in a hobby. It can help you to break up your busy and stressful life as well as clear your mental plate. Hobbies can ignite creativity and open the mind to new abilities. A productive hobby may also help you to redefine yourself. Therefore, just follow an old exciting hobby to lift up your spirits. Now, read my post to check out the hobbies that can help to calm the mind.

1. Riding A Bike

Biking is considered an exciting hobby for many people. It features repetitive motions that aid in clearing your mind to have the present moment. This will help to get rid of the restless thoughts and frantic thinking.

Riding a bike promotes your mind and causes you to engage with the surroundings as well as explore the world in your particular way. In addition, this hobby also allows you to stay active, which thus reduces the risk of getting chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.

2. Playing With Pets

Another hobby that helps to calm your mind is to hug your cat or pet your dog. According to a research, living with pets may give several health benefits, including reducing stress, reducing high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol & triglyceride levels, and improving your mood. In addition, according to some studies, heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than people who do not have ones.

Interestingly, some clinics and pediatricians incorporate aquarium therapy to encourage positive mental health because it helps to calm the mind and reduce anxiety.

3. Writing And Reading

Both writing and reading are common hobbies that are used to relax by many people. Writing down your reactions and emotions to things happening in your life may help you to clarify your thoughts, which makes them less stressful. Many studies have found that creative expression may promote healing and wellness

According to a study carried out at the University of Sussex, reading may be considered one of the best ways to relax. Just reading a book or newspaper, even for 6 minutes, may be enough to relieve stress levels by 68 percent. It is useful in slowing down your heart rate and reducing the muscle tension.

4.  Swimming

Apart from being known to one of the best ways on how to grow taller, swimming also helps to get rid of the stress and keep your mind calmed down. To enjoy this hobby, you just need a swimsuit and a pair of goggles. Imagine swimming in the calming water & doing exercise all at once. The workout will aid you in envisioning yourself as a healthier and stronger person, while swimming may easily help you to get through the worry & stress.

5. Gardening

In fact, gardening is considered a great stress reliever that helps you to calm your mind instantly. This is simply because going out in nature is definitely an exciting experience that will aid in soothing your soul. The smell, the sounds, the sunlight, and the breeze help to calm your mind and make your mood better. In addition, the repetitive process of gardening tasks soothes your mind.

According to scientists, the bacteria present in soil can help to activate your brain cells in order to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin which works as an antidepressant. Researchers believe that the bacteria present in the soil may also aid in increasing learning behavior.

Plus, gardening is also good for your physical health because some activities such as digging, planting, weed pulling, & harvesting strengthen your muscles and bones.

6. Music

Music is a great incorporation of art and healing. Both composing and listening to music help to get relief from stress and keep your mind calmed down. According to some studies, music therapy aids in reducing anxiety, relieving pain, improving cognitive health, and promoting feelings of power. Researchers working at the Stanford University also show that rhythmic music can have a great therapeutic effect for healing several neurological conditions because it can stimulate the brain and even change the function of your brain.

Gentle music along with a familiar melody help to reduce the level of a stress hormone called cortisol that wreaks havoc on the body and mind. In addition, playing musical instruments helps you to express yourself and reduce tension. In particular, slow beats are linked to meditative states because they promote slow brainwaves.

7. Painting

Painting can be another soothing way that helps to calm your mind effectively. The different colors include different levels of energy and may significantly impact on your mood. For example, blue is linked to tranquility, green with freshness, purple with meditation & creativity, yellow with optimism, red with passion, orange with vitality, etc.

This hobby also promotes your creative outlet as well as makes your mind get sharper. In fact, acting as a great stress reliever, it helps to release pent-up anger and tension.

Another option for you is meditative painting. Simply take a minute to know your feelings and thoughts and paint abstractly without conclusion and references.

8. Photography

Photography is also a creative and exciting hobby that can be useful in reducing stress. Seeing the world through the lens of a photographer can be a way to see things differently.

In fact, it will take off your focus of yourself and often involves in finding beauty & purpose in everything, which makes this art quite satisfying and soothing. In addition, your pictures help you to appreciate the side of life as well as train your mind to maintain a positive outlook.

9. Cooking

Although cooking may be a tedious task for some people, it is a stress-busting and pleasurable hobby for people who enjoy it. It acts as a great therapy to clear the mind and also serves as a great creative outlet. Simply cutting & chopping food may be an excellent calming ritual.

Apart from the instant gratification that it provides, cooking offers a good sensory experience due to the aroma, visual delight, flavors, and sizzling sounds. In fact, it helps you to nurture others people, which makes it more meaningful and fun.

10. Dancing

Dancing is a form of art that expresses your emotions and helps to promote well-being. It also enlivens your body and expands the mind.

Dancing also has been proven to boost up your mood. According to a study in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, a dancing intervention program, 2 times per week for 8 months, helps teenage girls who struggle with stress, depression, anxiety, and other internalizing issues improve their health and boost up their mood.

This exciting hobby also aids in improving the condition of the lungs and heart, increasing aerobic fitness, and boosting up self-confidence.