3 Easy Hobbies That Relieve Stress And Calm The Mind

These are great hobbies for introverts (and extroverts too) for stress relief and quieting the mind.  The best part is, you can do these anywhere!

I went years without really having any hobbies at all.  I dreaded the question, “So, what are your hobbies?”, because I felt like I was somehow violating a code of society to admit that I didn’t have any.  I never saw the value, until recently.

But when chosen wisely, hobbies give you a sense of self.  They help you stay connected to who you are.  Hobbies can also be a stress relief and provide you with mental breaks that leave you feeling refreshed.  Even better, they can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride.

As an introvert, and specifically INTJ, I’m always ‘in my brain’ working out some puzzle.  Whether that may be mentally planning family events, figuring out a work challenge, or simply pondering an interesting thought, my brain is constantly buzzing.  So I appreciate hobbies that help me quiet my mind and calm my thoughts.  These hobbies are perfect for that.  I sort of think of them as a way to massage the brain and rest the soul.  

Three Hobbies that Quiet the Mind and Soothe the Soul

1. Hand-Lettering

I went to a “Ladies and Letters” class a couple years ago and fell in love with hand lettering.  This class was set up just like those “Wine and Canvas” parties, but instead of the painting portion, we learned how to do a few different styles of hand lettering.

Each gal left with a few pieces of hand-lettered art that she created herself.  It was a fun way to gather with grown-ups while learning something new.

But you totally don’t have to go to any sort of class to learn how to do this!  There are lots of resources for beginners to help you get started.  And what’s really great is that it isn’t something that takes a long time to learn.  Once you get the basic method down for a certain style, you just get better and better with practice.

Super Simple Hand Lettering | Learn Lettering Printable | Lettering for Beginners

This is a hobby you can do at almost any time and almost any place.  I find myself lettering names or quotes in my planner while on the phone or in the waiting room at the doctor.  You can just pull out a piece of paper and letter your favorite quote or song lyric any time you have a spare 3 minutes.

And if you get really into it, you can hone your skill enough to be able to create beautiful hand-lettered cards or gifts for loved ones.  You could even turn this into a business!

2. Zentangle

I stumbled across Zentangle by total accident.  I was looking for unique hand-drawn art on Etsy and some Zentangle pieces came up in my search results.

According to Zentangle.com, “Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns“.  Here’s an example from an Etsy shop.

Image Source

There are tons resources for getting started.  You can follow a tutorial, watch a video, or even buy a book with step-by-step instructions and ideas.  The great thing is that you don’t have to be great at it to do it, and despite what you might read elsewhere, you DON’T need any fancy or expensive pens or paper.

Like hand lettering, you can do Zentangle just about anytime and anywhere.  And remember how I mentioned I discovered this art on Etsy?  If you really enjoy Zentangle and become great at it, you could turn it into a business!

Here are some resources to get started.

Joy of Zentangle | One Zentangle a Day | Zentangle Art Therapy | Zentangle Sourcebook

3. Coloring

Adult coloring books are ALL. THE. RAGE.  And I’m not normally one to jump on the bandwagon, but this one really struck my fancy because I always loved coloring as a kid (even into my teens, I would draw elaborate scenes and color them with pens or markers).

This is a terrific hobby if the first two felt a little too creativity-intense.  You can still be super-creative with coloring, but you don’t have to come up with an actual design.  So it’s not nearly as intimidating.

And yes, you can spend lots of money on fancy markers or colored pencils, and you can buy nice coloring books (here are some really cool ones).  But you don’t have to.

Printable Coloring Pages

Namaste Coloring Pages | Scripture Coloring Pages | Inspirational Coloring Pages

Complete Coloring Books

Patterns of Nature | Inspirations | Joyful Designs

Unlike the first two, this hobby isn’t quite as mobile.  But it is still very easy to work into the small spaces of time you have throughout the day.  Sitting in the car line at school, while talking on the phone, or between chores or other tasks.

Another way to enjoy coloring is to use it as a sort of guided meditation.  Color in complete silence or while listening to meditation-friendly music (no words, soft, soothing, etc.) and focus only on coloring.  Don’t allow your mind to wander, and when it does, simply turn it back to your page and pencils.  If you find meditation to be challenging, this is a great way to start.

Hobbies can be an integral part of contentment and happiness, but they can also over-complicate your life.  These hobbies are easy to fit in, affordable, and have the added benefit of being great stress relief and quieting your mind.

Have you tried any of these?  Which do you love?  I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

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