Engaging in the Arts, Music, and Hobbies for Stress Relief

January 04, 2018

Do you enjoy music or art? Are you looking to try out a new hobby?

Using your creativity is an excellent tool to release stress.

A recent study published in Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, found that just 45 minutes of creative time reduces cortisol levels and stress, even for people who don’t consider themselves artistic!

Art and hobbies bolster self-esteem, ease trauma, and give you an outlet for personal expression.

Practicing a hobby or art helps you to decompress, and reach an almost meditative state.

For some people, creating art releases anger, frustration, or pent up sadness. Art can also be joyous, cathartic, and empowering on many different levels.

How To Get Started

First, drop any negative baggage about your creativity at the door. You don’t have to be Picasso or even crafty.

Being creative means different things to different people. Just find a practice you enjoy and go with it. Trust me, this process is going to be fun and empowering.

Most people enjoy hobbies that allow them to be tactile, to build or create things with their hands. I like to garden, draw with my son, write, and experiment with healthy recipes.

Many people like to sing and dance, or play musical instruments. Sewing is another creative pastime that can be enriching and relaxing.

Practicing art or hobbies in any form is a way to get inspired, create beauty, and decrease stress.

There Are So Many Choices to Explore Your Creative Side

Collaging/Scrapbooking

Both of these choices are great hobbies for anyone. Get creative. Use magazines, newspapers, old photos, or leftover gift wrap.

Experiment with different themes like happiness or sadness. Add textures like yarns or hemp paper in your collages. Try out ideas from friends or Pinterest.

You can use your creations to decorate your personal Sanctuary, or for gifts for birthdays and holidays.

Sewing/Crochet/Knitting/Embroidery

Start with a small project, and learn to work your sewing magic. Give it time. Take a class, watch how to videos, or practice with a seasoned sewing crafter.

Sewing could become your most treasured, self-help therapy for your downtime from work.

Basket Weaving

Basket weaving can be a meditative and enjoyable hobby. It’s very detailed, close work that requires attention.

Basket weaving takes you away from a stressful day by completely changing your focus.

You can use your finished baskets for many things: picnics, wildcrafting plants, presents, or for your kitchen.

As you learn more, you might like working with barks or leaf fronds for a whole new type of basketry experience.

Gardening

Being in nature is a great way to calm stress! Get some Earth in your soul and get dirty! For people who don’t get much time in nature, gardening is such a gift.

Humans, like all animals, need connection with the natural world. Gardening allows you to be in nature and get creative. .

Start with a small garden project. You can plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs.

Whatever your choice, be patient with the process. If you really work at it, you will be happily blessed with your harvest.

Making Models/Building Projects

If you’re mechanically inclined, making models or other types of building projects could become your favorite hobby.

Building projects use all of your senses and allow you to express your inner engineer. Building projects are excellent for problem solving and using your imagination.

If you’re not ready for models, start by playing with Legos with your kids. The idea is to get started and have some fun.

Music, in all forms, is a great hobby for the whole family.

Just relax, turn on some music, and let your inner musician out.

If you have kids, get them involved. Most kids love to sing and dance, and they don’t have hang ups about how they sound or look.

If you’ve always wanted to create music, take a class or have private lessons. Make it happen. Explore your musical side.

Get Into Art

I can say, without a doubt, that exploring my creative side has been a key to relieving my stress. We all have creative energy to express.

Allow yourself the time and space to get artsy or try out a hobby. Be patient with yourself.

Your art or hobby may not turn out “perfect” the first time. That’s ok! This process is about finding a creative practice that you enjoy, which also helps relieve stress.

 

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