Hobbies that help depression?

[StellaRune]

Any tips on hobbies that help depression and anxiety? i need a hobby to help me out

[Hidden]

What sort of things do you like ..

I was a workaholic so never really had time for hobbies,

I’ve now found I enjoy walking and visiting nice places, when I feel well enough. I find this helps my depression..I also enjoy watching movies...I know not so much a hobby , I’ve found it difficult to find a Habbs I enjoy...my concentration isn’t great

Do you think you’d like a physical hobby, like walking, or visits to museums etc as an example, or is your concentration ok and you’d enjoy something like art ...

The more we know , the better ideas we may be able to come up with 😊Best wishes.

🌻🌻🌻

[NikeYrk]

Painting and drawing, you can even buy the canvases and tools on amazon

[Meleddie415]

Hello StellaRune,

As NikeYrk mentioned, I too enjoy painting, but my favorite is working on puzzles. I can sit an work on one for hours and hours. The focus helps my mind to not wander and think about anxious or depressing thoughts. This is not meant to be a plug, but Liberty Puzzles can be ordered online and what I love about them is they are made of wood and the pieces are three dimensional. Good luck!

[lillyofthevalley37]

Gardening

[Sprinkle1]

I love the coloring books, can absorb me for hours. Sprinkle 1.....

[pink83737 in reply to Sprinkle1]

I love to color also! it’s so relaxing 😌

[NWGal]

Of course there's no specific hobby to relieve depression but I imagine any activity you can "get lost in" for awhile. When I create art it is my singular focus. There are no intrusive thoughts entering my brain, my vitals slow a little and I find peace, even if it's just for a couple of hours - or even all day if I can! I come out feeling like a "normal" person. Sometimes I play games on my phone with the same result! Good karma Stella!

[Hidden]

Gardening reading and puzzles which my therapist suggested

[Fighter_of_fear in reply to Hidden]

What kind of puzzles? Word or jigsaw?

[Fighter_of_fear]

Jigsaw puzzles, reading, watching sports, talking with people.

[Jenyleigh]

I like working with yarn. I make wall hangings and rugs. Walking helps me too, and watching funny videos with my son.

[LookingforSunrise]

I like to sew which I do when I am feeling up to it. I also like to watch some shows and I especially like talking with people. I don't have a lot of friends but am working on that. I recommend you find what interests you so you can get lost for a while. Even playing board games or cards sometimes works.

[Sunshine425]

Mine are:

Painting, coloring, (any crafts)

hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking/canoe. Skiing. Learning snow boarding. There are So many options... just have to think of something that sparks joy or curiousity. Any walk outside is free and very theraputic. 🙂🌲

[fauxartist]

painting, cooking, gardening, hiking, photography, quilting, ceramics, etc.

[SSMaxyMan]

Sewing is fun. I make small pillows out of old socks and the insides of ripped pillows. I also like making eggs and some of the best grilled cheese ever. Going on a walk is also fun or riding a bike

[SwankyFrankie]

I have trouble doing my hobbies when I'm depressed. I have a million, it seems, and when I can do them I do feel so much better, but I don't really enjoy anything when I'm depressed, and I don't want to do any of them because without the joy they all sound like work.

When I'm at that point I focus on making myself as comfortable as possible for 'breaks' through the day. I'll sit in my comfy chair by the window to soak up some sun and look at the woods in my back yard.

Once I do have some motivation I focus on activities that have sensory input and can be repetitive and meditative, like pottery throwing, knitting, or kneading bread. Playing an instrument, jigsaw puzzles, and making things with play dough are good too. Feeling something in my hands really helps calm and steady me.

To keep my spirits up and help prevent my depression from returning I do anything challenging. Mentally challenging like puzzle games or programming, physically challenging like sports, or even creatively challenging like dungeons and dragons or fine arts. And sensory things still really help. If I have to feel it then it's probably a good hobby to keep me centered.

Meditative hobbies are also really great, like listening to music, viewing art, yoga and stretching, anything where your main activity is being calm and attentive. Fine arts work great for this, too.