No more mindless scrolling or binge-ing on TV. Make your free time fulfilling and enjoyable with these relaxing hobbies.
Have you ever been asked what your hobby is when you introduce yourself in an interview or a new group? From primary school to college, my answer has always been “reading.” Reading is great. Reading is educating. But I feel like I am leaving out most of the fun to never pick up another hobby.
Things changed last year when I had to stay at home for months. I had run out of shows to watch, and my phone was bombarded with overwhelming headlines. “I need a new hobby.” This was what I told myself.
As I began to explore different areas, I found that hobbies like drawing were not just boredom killers. They also soothed my nerves. And before I realized it, I had spent 2 hours sketching petals of a sunflower.
A serious hobby is not just something to do when you are bored at home. It takes time and practice. But the progress you make every day and the skills you learn will worth it. Some even turn their hobbies into a career.
If you are ready to explore your potential, here is a list of relaxing hobbies to try.
*This post may contain affiliate links. (full disclosure)
Fun and relaxing hobbies to pick up today
Collecting
If you are a hoarder like me, you will have a good time collecting things of your choice. When I was 6 years old, I started collecting stamps. I remember I was so excited when I got my first Micky Mouse stamp. I still keep my stamp collection to this day.
Here are some items that you can collect as a hobby:
- Stamps (consider those of different cities, different countries, and different themes)Coins (If you travel overseas a lot, you can make a fantastic collection of coins from all over the world)
- Shells
- Basketball or baseball pins
- Vinyl
- Comic books
(Feel free to share in the comment if you have more ideas!)
Handmade crafts
Crafting is something that you can enjoy and be proud of. It’s a hands-on process to create something from scratch.
I am not much of a DIY genius. But my best friend once asked me to make a mosaic lamp with her in a workshop. And I fell in love almost instantly. Despite the glue that was all over my hands, crafting will still be one of the best relaxing hobbies to try.
Ryan at That Sweet Tea Life has rounded up some fun crafts for adults. Check it out if you need some ideas.
Drawing
Drawing is a process of bringing ideas to life. There’s this huge satisfaction in turning a blank canvas into art. And when you draw, you stop thinking about your day-to-day chores and problems as you immerse yourself in colors and lines. A better focus and a calmer mind are the extra benefits of drawing.
If you are a complete beginner, I recommend starting with the basics – a pen and paper. Also, this series of free beginner drawing tutorials may come in handy.
Fishing
If you love the outdoors but hate sweating, you will enjoy fishing. A few hours by the pond will refresh your mind, especially for those who live in cities. It also puts your patience to the test.
If you are lucky enough, you may come home with some fish for dinner at the end of the day. Quite rewarding, isn’t it?
Making videos
Video has become a major way of sharing ideas. And it’s so much more accessible than before. You can now shoot and make videos with your phone anywhere you go.
If you love sharing your life, make a vlog of your day. If you love teaching, create an educational video. The editing may take you some time in the beginning. But you will get better as you practice more.
Cooking
Cooking is not my expertise, but I am always passionate. The best part of cooking is not actually tasting the food but getting to know the culture behind each recipe.
As a Taurus, food is my love language. I love cooking for others more than for myself. Recently, I made traditional Chinese rice dumplings and shared them with my family. The way they enjoy the food makes the hours of cooking worth it.
Growing indoor plants
Scientists have found that indoor plants help to reduce stress. Adding greens to your place can definitely spruce up the vibes.
It’s one of the most relaxing hobbies that requires minimum effort. If you have a pot, some seeds, and space in the house, you can begin growing indoor plants today.
Don’t know what to grow？ Here are some ideas:
For the room that has less light, choose these plants:
- Snake plant
- Corn plant
- Neon pothos
- Jade plant
- Spider plant
If you are a beginner, try these low-maintenance indoor plants:
- Hedgehog aloe
- ZZ plant
- Sansevieria
- Philodendron heartleaf
- Chinese Money Plant
If you don’t have that much space to grow indoor plants, try sprouting instead. With a bottle and some seeds, you can sprout broccoli, black-eyed peas, green peas, and so on. In a week or so, you will have fresh greens to add to your salad.
Jogging/Running
Moderate cardio exercises like jogging and running have tons of health benefits. They improve your aerobic capacity and heart health, strengthen your muscle endurance and help with weight loss.
And not just physically, running and jogging are also mentally beneficial. It shifts your focus from your day-to-day to your breath and steps. It also puts your tenacity to the test. Tighten your shoelace, pick a location and start running today.
Yoga
I have a lot of friends who lift heavy in the gym but struggle with flexibility. I would force them to take yoga classes with me, and they keep coming back. Yoga, according to them, has helped to develop a mind-body connection. It does not only improve overall training performance. But it also helps to improve flexibility and focus.
If you never do Yoga before, the Internet is full of resources. Hop on to YouTube and search Yoga, and you’ll find tons of them. Give it a try and see how you feel after the practice.
Baking
I think we can all agree that we don’t actually need to bake. We can buy almost anything we want in the supermarket or local bakery nowadays. But baking is not just about the food.
It is a creative process. A cookie or a cake is a canvas for the baker. With baking, you control the flavor and the look. It also diminishes your mind chatters when you focus on the scale and timer instead. If you are a big foodie, baking can be a relaxing hobby as well as a boredom killer
Making music
Music production sounds intimidating. If you are a beginner like me, one or two software plus some online tutorials will help you to get started.
Here are some resources I find helpful if you want to give it a try:
- How to start making music by Ledge Note (free)
- A video that answers the common questions of beginner music producers (free)
- A step-by-step online course of digital music production (requires Skillshare membership)
Swimming
If you want to get active without sweating, you will love swimming. The weightless feeling of floating on the water makes it one of the most popular sports worldwide.
Plus, when you are in the water, the rest of the world stops to exist. The serenity is priceless. Check out the nearest swimming pool and get wet!
Listening to audiobooks
One thing I love to do on my daily commute is listening to audiobooks. It’s a great way to learn something new while dealing with tasks that require less attention.
I’ve recently finished listening to Deep Work by Cal Newport on Audible and found it really inspiring. If you are already spending loads of time on chores, audiobooks will make the mundane tasks more enjoyable.
Coloring
Coloring is not only a relaxing hobby. It also has amazing benefits, like calming your mind and allowing you to tap into your creativity. It’s also an alternative to mindlessly scrolling on social media or binge-watching TV. If you try to unplug from the Internet, this paper-based activity will make your time more fulfilling. Check out our free printable coloring pages to start today.
Watching documentaries
I wasn’t a big fan of documentaries until I bumped into Dirty Money and The Confession Tapes on Netflix. Since then, I can’t get enough.
For me, documentaries introduce me to new knowledge and topics. And they are often pretty short, so I don’t have to wait for new episodes to come out for weeks or even months.
Dancing
Learning to dance is a great way to burn extra calories and also lift your mood. Thanks to the endless resources on the Internet, you can now learn almost any type of dance at home. If you are feeling stressed or bored, dancing will activate your body and bring you joy!
Volunteering
Kindness sparks happiness. When you volunteer to help, the act of kindness brings joy and a sense of fulfillment.
Depending on the types of work, you may also meet like-minded people and learn new skills. You can also apply for volunteer opportunities abroad. Either way, the experiences will be rewarding.
Here are some places to volunteer at:
- Animal rescue shelters
- Local libraries
- Retirement homes
- Local community center
- Fundraising for NGO
Since many of us cannot go out as we used to, Jessie from Jessie on a Journey has rounded up a list of volunteer work you can do at home. Click here to check it out. https://jessieonajourney.com/easy-ways-to-volunteer-from-home/
Journaling
The year 2020 has taught me one thing – buried thoughts can cloud your mind. When you have no one to talk to at home, your emotions could quickly pile up. And journaling can help to unload your mental storage. By writing about your thoughts, ideas, and your day, you no longer have to keep them in your headspace.
You can also manage your goals and progress with journaling. A pen, a journal, and 10 minutes a day are all you need to start.
Reading
For me, reading takes you places and introduces you to new minds. And I always try to read as broadly as I can. Most of the knowledge I gained outside of school is from books.
If you don’t have a lot of time to sit down and read, you can do so with 10 to 30 minutes a day. Just read a chapter and continue tomorrow.
Creative writing
Have you ever tried writing a story? Not everyone who starts to write as a hobby ends up being a novelist. But almost all novelists start writing as a hobby.
Writing stories is how you let your imagination run wild. Romance, cyber fiction, horror, or a mix of all of them – your choice. You are the boss of your world.
Creative writing is not only an excellent way to practice your writing skills, but it also improves your creativity and logic. If you are pleased with your work, publish it online, and you may find an audience who love it as well.
Decorating your space
I used to be a home decor fanatic when I was 25 or so. To this day, I still keep the binder of Elle Decor clippings. The hands-on experience to apply your aesthetics to a home is just satisfying.
And you don’t always need flashy new items to decor your space. You can start with printing out a photo, frame it, and put it on the wall. Start small, and find your style from there.
Creating playlists
If you love listening to music, you may already be doing this. This is an excellent alternative to just scrolling through TikTok or Instagram.
Open your music app and start creating playlists depending on the mood, the genre or the story. Playlists like “Sunday night vibes” and “Bounce back energy” are so specific and creative, and I encourage you to make your own.
Knitting and crochet
If you are looking for a relaxing activity that doesn’t require much preparation, knitting it is. I have made myself and my best friend matching scarves. You can also donate your handknits to charity and help those in need.
Developing recipes
Every once in a while, I love to break some rules. Just like drawing, cooking can also be a creative process. If you have a kitchen, an experimental mind, and someone to be your guinea pig, you can be a recipe developer.
I have made scallion pancaked out of leftover dumpling wraps, and it turns out great. Of course, some of these projects fail. But it’s not always about the results. The process of trial and error will teach you patience and increase your tolerance for frustrations. And that’s exactly what I need sometimes.
Logic puzzles
I am a big fan of puzzle games, especially Sodoku. Unlike most board games, you can play puzzle games by yourself. And what’s better is that nowadays, you can play most of them on the phone.
Here are some puzzle games to try as a hobby:
- Jigsaw puzzle
- Sodoku
- MathDoku
- Crossword
- Rubik’s cube
Digital traveling
This is a hobby I picked up last year when everyone was stuck at home. Traveling might still be impossible, depending on where you live. And digital traveling will help ease the thirst.
Go to Google Maps, and type in a destination of your choice. Click Streetview and start exploring. Some of the images are not up to date. So you may discover the never-seen-before versions of places you have been to.
Playing instruments
To be good at playing musical instruments like piano and guitar, you definitely need to practice. The learning process requires a lot of work, and it’s proof that practice makes perfect.
If you don’t want to invest a lot in your new hobby, here are some less expensive instruments to try:
- Kalimba
- Ukelele
- Melodica
- Flute
- Harmonica
- Glockenspiel
Have you tried these relaxing hobbies?
What is your go-to hobby when you are bored or stressed? Share in the comment!
