What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
For many, including myself, the answer lies in the quiet joy of hobbies. Hobbies aren’t just pastimes, they are portals to comfort and spaces where time slows. The act of creating, making or simply being can breathe new life into our well-being and mental health.
A 2023 study conducted by Nature Medicine, Harvard Health Publishing notes that having a hobby is beneficial for one’s health and mental well-being.
More than 93,000 people across 16 countries aged 65 or older periodically answered questionnaires about their health and well-being over a four to eight-year period. Those who had hobbies reported better health, greater happiness, fewer symptoms of depression and higher life satisfaction. The researchers concluded that hobbies strengthen involvement with creativity, sensory engagement, self-expression, relaxation and cognitive stimulation.
In my personal experience, hobbies like reading, coloring and listening to music serve as sweet sources of serenity each day, especially when life feels overwhelming.
It’s such a comforting feeling to curl up with a good book, and escape into another world. Coloring, too, has become a soft hug for my heart, reminding me that there’s always a place for me to unwind. Whether it’s a playlist that matches my mood or a song that uplifts me, music has always been my constant companion.
These hobbies are not particularly about fixing anything, but about creating pockets of peace where I can just be. I’d like to introduce you to some of the key aspects that make these my favorite hobbies and activities, in the hope that they can serve as a healing balm for your soul as well.
The first of my favorite healing hobbies is the magical world of coloring. This hobby has become an essential part of my relaxation routine. My favorite coloring books have shifted to the whimsical world of “Hygge Coloring Books,” where cheerful creatures partake in everyday moments — these animals are just like us. This vibrant and fun hobby is one that melts the stress of the day away.
Next, listening to music and curating playlists have always been among my favorite hobbies. Currently, I have approximately 68 playlists on Spotify, spanning a diverse range of genres, including rap, R&B, golden oldies, pop and more.
Music is a universal healer that is always there for us when we’re feeling joy, heartbreak, nostalgia or anything in between.
Reading is another one of my favorite past-times. “A book is a gift you can open again and again,” said author Garrison Keillor. I wholeheartedly agree.
I also love vision boards because they help you connect with yourself, your aspirations and moods. Specifically, I love doing vision boards with my mom. Each new year we sit down and create our vision boards for the year ahead. This is a budget-friendly and sustainable option as we search for free magazines from our community to incorporate into our vision boards.
Just like my love for vision boards, I am an avid mood-board enthusiast. Mood boarding involves curating a collection of images that evoke emotions and help express various moods and positive vibes. While the most popular platforms for creating mood boards are Pinterest and Canva, you can also craft physical mood boards for a more tangible experience.
Journaling as a hobby offers numerous benefits including stress reduction, improved emotional regulation and enhanced self-awareness.
I’ve been journaling daily for years, and it has become a cherished practice in my life. Journaling has evolved into various forms to suit different interests. One such variation is nature journaling, which involves documenting your connections with the natural world, recording fascinating facts and creating drawings or incorporating photographs. It’s a wonderful way to engage with nature while fostering mindfulness and creativity.
Another fun and easy hobby is a podcast and picnic. Grab a blanket, pack a tote bag with a sandwich, snacks, treats and head outside. Set up in a spot outside and enjoy a podcast picnic (bonus points if it’s an environmentally themed podcast).
If podcasts aren’t your thing, no worries – I’m the same way. I would like to introduce you something I call, “Chill and Chew,” where, instead of a podcast, you put on your favorite show and enjoy your snacks.
When incorporating my love for the environment, thrifting is my favorite sustainable hobby. The fashion industry, including fast fashion, is one of the largest culprits of pollution.
For fashion fanatics, upcycling clothes is considered a sustainable hobby that nurtures our planet. A great way to start this hobby is by visiting the Free Store, which is part of the Office of Sustainability at the University of Tennessee, located at 915 22nd St., Knoxville, TN. The Free Store offers free items, including clothes, shoes, accessories and more, to students, faculty and staff at their storefront, as well as pop-up events on campus.
Lastly, gardening is a truly rewarding hobby for both one’s mental health and the planet. Research has shown that gardening increases happiness, creativity, productivity and self-esteem, while also reducing the effects of dementia and PTSD. As you garden, you’re minimizing pollutants in the water, soil and air, as well as clearing the emotional pollutants of stress, anxiety and depression from your life.
With all these hobbies in mind, I hope this encourages you to make a little space in your day for nourishing your soul. Whether it’s tending to a tiny plant, scribbling thoughts in a notebook, crafting, reading or mending what’s worn, may your hobbies become your soft place to land.
Here’s to finding joy in the small things. May you discover hobbies that heal, ground and remind you that you are deeply connected — to yourself and the world around you.
Marissa Hunt is a junior at UT studying journalism. She can be reached at [email protected].
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
