Struggling With Your Mental Health? Try a Hobby, Part Two!

Make a commitment to having fun. See your best friends and make time for your hobbies and passions.

Robert Holden

Last week I started a post that, half way through I realised was going to be much longer than it was in my head when I was first researching it however, I found the subject matter really interesting so, rather than cut it short, I thought I’d continue it this week to see where it goes!

As you may remember, it was based on Mental Health and how some hobbies can be therapeutic for both body and mind! I started with walking, here a few more hobbies with specific benefits to Mental Health.

Open Water Swimming

Now I know there are a few of you out there, looking out on a cold and dreary morning thinking, not on your Nelly! However, having grown up a mere stone’s throw from the coast, I do have a bit of an affinity with the sea. I know you’ll think I’m bonkers but, there really isn’t anything quite like floating on your back, the waves lapping around you as you stare up into a beautiful cloudless sky!

Swimming in general is a good hobby for mental health, so if you’re unable to do open water swimming but you have the ability to swim in a pool… absolutely go for it, it will do you the world of good. The reason that I would recommend open water swimming if you can do it, is because being outdoors and being in colder water has a lot of other additional benefits.

Why is Open Water Swimming Good for Mental Health?

There’s plenty of research that suggests even being near water has a plethora of benefits. The blue colour of the water being calming, the reflections heightening our exposure to light and the sound of crashing waves. Then, when you add actually swimming into the mix, there’s a whole host of increased benefits such as:

Reduces anxiety
Boosts brain health
Helps you respond to stress better in every day life
Releases endorphins
Clears your head

How to Get Started

If you’re not already a strong swimmer, perhaps consider starting in a lido and then moving onto a still body of water before you go into the sea. The sea can be dangerous and unpredictable, so confidence in your swimming ability is a must, especially if you’re swimming on a beach with no lifeguards or at off peak times where there aren’t any people around. In fact, when you first start, I’d always recommend you go with a friend or, research local open water swimming clubs, there’s dozens of them around these days!

Things to Consider

Check the weather! As we know all to well, the weather can change quickly, especially in the UK so, take a look at the Met Office or local weather provider before you set off. Even then, use your head, even if the Met Office says it’s going to be calm, check the water when you arrive, sometimes the tides can play tricks making it much choppier than it should be!

Speaking of which, check the tide times, make sure the tide is right for your swim. Some high tides could leave you stranded on the beach. Give yourself enough time to have your swim and safely vacate the beach. Some low tides aren’t suitable for swimming at all, so it’s a very important part of planning your swim!

Also, if you’re swimming off a beach, you’re not familiar with, make sure you get some local advice relative to things like rip currents!

I always take my phone in the sea with me. It goes into a waterproof pouch and is secured by a lanyard around my neck – which I then tuck into my swimming costume for extra security. That way I have some assurance that if for whatever reason I end up being dragged out to sea by a strong rip tide, that I have my phone with me.

The pouch also means I can keep my keys and bank card with me and not leave them on the beach with my bag/towels.

Gardening

If we’re talking about hobbies for mental health then we need to discuss gardening! It’s been proven time and time again that gardening is incredible for your mind. Being outdoors has so many benefits but the act of gardening brings even more to your life and wellbeing.

What are the Benefits of Gardening for Mental Health

There’s been quite a lot of research been done into this which suggests gardening can;

Improve mood
Lower stress
Seeing your plants grow gives you a sense of achievement and purpose
Improves attention span (I can attest to this one!!)
Gets you outside to boost things like your Vitamin D

How to Get Started

Gardening always seemed easier to me than it actually is, to the point that when I first got my own garden I went and bought every plant in the garden centre and potted them, watered them and then watched most of them die – whoops.

Yep, gardening is a lot harder than it looks!

Which actually makes it a great hobby because you’re learning a skill while doing something therapeutic. If you’re a complete beginner, then start of much smaller than I did! Just one plant will do to start with. Learn everything there is to learn about that plant and how to keep it alive and then do your best to make that happen.

Crafting

When people hear crafting, I think their mind generally goes to making jewellery, scrapbooking or knitting. Which are all great hobbies but it doesn’t necessarily have to be any of those. It could be woodwork, cosplay costume design, upcycling, anything your heart desires!

Talk about distraction, keeping mind and hands occupied, good for stimming/nervous energy etc.

What are the Benefits of Crafting for Mental Health

Keeps your mind busy
Often includes repetitive movements, good for self-stimulation
Releases dopamine
Reduces stress and anxiety
Improves concentration and mindfulness

How to Get Started

Is there anything you really want to make?

Pinterest and YouTube have endless amounts of tutorials and guides on crafting. With the Interwebs briming over with ideas, it couldn’t be easier to learn a craft than it is now!

Photography

For anyone that has followed my blog for any great length of time you’ll know, photography, real life and virtual, started off as a hobby for me many years ago.

I will warn you; photography is addictive and can get expensive! Sorry about that!

The biggest thing photography as a hobby did for me was it forced me out of the house and to interact socially with other people. My camera became my mask at first, until I was confident enough both with or without the camera.

My camera is still like my superhero suit though. As soon as I put my harness on and strap my cameras to myself, I feel like I can take on the world!

What are the Benefits of photography for Mental Health

Gets you out of the house
Teaches you both technical and creative skill which is great brain food
Teaches you the art of trial and error (which is an important lesson if you’re naturally a perfectionist)
There can often be a social aspect to photography, there’s lots of clubs and forums out there
A sense of confidence & achievement when you have created a great picture.

How to Get Started

You don’t need the best, latest equipment to get started. It could be as simple as using your phone camera but doing it with more intention. Learning how to compose a good photo with your phone and learning that “photographers’ eye” is a fabulous way to get started.

If you’d like to get more technical and can’t afford a fancy camera right away, you could always try buying second hand. You can get some seriously good advice from camera retailers such as Wex or MPB that specialises in selling second hand equipment rather than eBay or Facebook marketplace.

Hopefully something here has made you think, “yeah… I could have a go at that, if not… more next week!

What’s on this Week?